Chelsea have shown exceptional resolve to come back from 2-0 with ten men to draw 2-2 with Barcelona and make the Champions League final on Tuesday night.
Things looked ominous when Catalan goals from Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta put the Spaniards in command, whilst John Terry was given a straight red card for kneeing Alexis Sanchez.
However, a delightful Ramires chip on the verge of half-time put the Blues back in the driving seat, and the Stamford Bridge club managed to hold out for the entire second half before substitute Fernando Torres bagged an equaliser in injury time.
Roberto Di Matteo admitted to being very proud of his team at the final whistle, and felt his team deserved to eliminate the champions.
“A lot of people have written us off and we showed again the kind of character our players have,” the Italian told Sky Sports.
“We didn’t expect to play with 10 men. We knew it was going to be tough and it was even more difficult than we expected.
“Barcelona are a great team with some fantastic players and we just showed what we are made of. We achieved something incredible tonight and when it is the right time we will be thinking about the final.
“The second half wasn’t much about tactics. It was about the pressure and the pride, the desire to go to the final. We were 45 minutes away and that is what the second half was about.
“The belief was always there. We wouldn’t be in the final if we didn’t believe we could get to the final,” he confessed.
Chelsea will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final, who play on Wednesday night in their semi-final second leg.
By Gareth McKnight
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