• Champions League

Di Matteo expects Shakhtar win to prove crucial

ESPN staff
November 7, 2012
Early goals from Fernando Torres and Oscar put Chelsea on the right path © PA Photos
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Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo believes his side's victory against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday could prove "crucial" at the end of the group.

The defending champions needed substitute Victor Moses to win the game for them in the fourth minute of injury time, the former Crystal Palace and Wigan youngster rising highest to head home and secure a 3-2 win that put the Blues level on points with their Ukrainian opponents with two games to go.

With Italian champions Juventus just a point in arrears after their victory over FC Nordsjaelland the win was vital for the Blues, with Di Matteo acknowledging as much after the contest.

"It was crucial for us to win this home game," said Di Matteo. "It was obviously going to be a tough game that would be decided by the little details.

"They are a very good side and they showed tonight how good they are. It will probably go down to the last game and probably the last kick.

"We knew the kind of pressure we were under and it was must-win for us. We didn't want to expose ourselves too much. We knew we could have scored a goal with the last kick and that is what happened.

On the decisive winning goal, which came from a corner, Di Matteo added: "We knew we needed to score a goal probably from a set play. It was good Victor got on the end of it.

"I think in the first half we put them under pressure and we managed go ahead with good pressure.

"Then in the second half we tried but they were a good side. We probably didn't have many chances as normal, but sometimes need a goal like that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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