• Champions League

Di Matteo admits Chelsea exit fears

ESPN staff
October 24, 2012
Roberto Di Matteo has much to ponder at Chelsea © Getty Images
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Roberto Di Matteo admitted Chelsea must avenge Tuesday night's Champions League defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk in two weeks' time if they are to avoid one of the shortest defences of the trophy.

Champions League tables

The European champions crashed to a 2-1 defeat to Shakhtar as John Terry's return to the side went awry at the Donbass Arena to leave them facing a real fight to qualify for the knockout stage.

Previous holders have never failed to do so and Di Matteo acknowledged Chelsea now had to win their home games against Shakhtar and Nordsjaelland to maintain that record.

"We need to win our two home games remaining for sure,'' Di Matteo said. "The consolation tonight is that Juventus drew in Denmark.

"It just shows how the Champions League is a very competitive competition. But certainly, we need to win our home game against Shakhtar.''

Frank Lampard went off injured, making him a doubt for the Premier League clash with Manchester United, and Di Matteo felt his absence upset their shape.

He said: "'The preparation took into consideration Willian, to have Ramires on the right to control that situation. Then we thought it was the right choice to put on Hazard but we were too individualistic in our pressing in the first half, and too stretched as a team which conceded space to Shakhtar."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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