After today’s Wigan game, Roberto Di Matteo admitted the crowded fixture list is testing his squad’s ability to keep on winning.
‘After you play a midweek game in the Champions League there is always a concern that you might have a little hangover for the weekend game, it is something thatall the clubs still in the Champions League have to deal with,’ said Di Matteo.
‘Even though I tried to energise the team with a number of changes, in the first half we didn’t really get into the game. The intensity was low and the passing was slow and there is always that concern when we play midweek.
‘It shows the personality in this group and that the spirit, belief and the confidence are strong because even when we concede we react to it.’
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez complained that both Chelsea‘s goals should have been flagged offside. The first was turned in by Branislav Ivanovic for his fourth goal in his last six games.
‘That is a great thing, we seem to be getting goals from everywhere and it makes us more unpredictable and takes pressure off the strikers,’ said Di Matteo.
‘I haven’t seen replays of the goals so I can’t comment on the decisions but despite all that, Wigan were unlucky not get something out of the game because they played really well.’
Chelsea now face a local derby with Fulham on Monday night and John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Ramires, who missed today’s game due to illness, will be have their availability assessed on Sunday.
‘I think the players have accepted that we are a group and the spirit of the group is very strong,’ declared Di Matteo. ‘They realise that everybody is needed to reach targets and we need all 25 players to come through.
‘We are in the position in the league unfortunately that we have to win every game and we are pleased we got three points. Even though it wasn’t a sparkling performance, it shows the strength of the team.’
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice philosophy,chealsea and board should work on who are coming in and those that are going out is very crucial at this time.
It’s a good game bt poor performance 4 chelsea. 4 – 5- 1 formation is nt okay. We need jos luck!!
Hi mr d mteo u are good bt u have to revise your subs and in the midlefld ther is to much space plse give romeo a chance and play lukaku insted of kalou thank u 4 wrk
it’s a luck we won d game.d 4-5-1 formatn is’t good.pls try enof 2 knockout spurs and fcb.true blues
Thanks to RDM and the entire squad but there is more to learn and do especially from Man United in terms of spirit. Chelsea if fond of relaxing whenever they are taking the lead. If you really look at the game at Stamford Bridge against Wigan yesterday, we should have killed the game off and not having to do that under pressure as the same thing we do in the Champions League when we could not seal the game even with a 10 men opponent ….remember it happened against Barcelona about 3 years ago. Notwithstanding, kudos to the entire chelsea team for making it happen again, keep it up. CHELSEA 4 LIFE.
nice game againt wigan….let just keep d momentum going.blues 4 life
no body would have believe your remakable achievement so far move on we are behind you cary go
Di matteo is a gud manager chelsea ever have since the arrival of club owner Roman abramovich.i strongly belive dat he will succeed at chelsea. if given a time proof himself and i also believe is going to win dis year champion league for us.