Miracles are in Chelsea’s DNA - Rob hails his heroes

IVAN THE GREAT ... Branislav Ivanovic celebrates

“The way we play is the best way to win and go through and that’s what we managed to do.”

Luck favours the brave and when Lionel Messi crashed a 49th-minute penalty against the crossbar, the visiting fans took heart. You sensed that the Blues might hang on and survive the onslaught.

Wave upon wave of Catalan attacks crushed on the dykes that the nine outfield Londoners raised outside Petr Cech’s box.

And so it goes on. Messi has never scored against Chelsea in EIGHT attempts and Pep Guardiola has never beaten the Blues in four matches.

In the end £50million substitute Fernando Torres stormed through for the last-minute leveller that meant Chelsea left here unbeaten.

Battered and bruised — but not broken.

Di Matteo added: “I thought it was difficult when it went 2-0 and we had 10 men.

“But the goal we scored before half time gave us that lifeline and that belief. For the moment we will try to enjoy this night because it’s quite historical for our club.

“We’ll see which players will be available for the final and we’ll put a strong side out.

“Barca have some of the best players in the world. The way we played and defended, we just showed a lot of desire to reach the final and go through.

“We had a bit of luck as well which you need to win the trophy.”

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