GET OFF TO A EURO FLIER WARNS CHELSEA BOSS ROBERTO DI MATTEO

[RoterTeufel]

GET OFF TO A EURO FLIER WARNS CHELSEA BOSS ROBERTO DI MATTEO

ROBERTO DI MATEO has warned his Chelsea squad not to give themselves another mission impossible in Europe.

Chelsea face Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tomorrow.

The Blues needed a huge second-leg recovery in the previous round after losing 3-1 to Napoli.

But while their Stamford Bridge comeback will live long in the memory and serve as inspiration, boss Di Matteo (below) does not want another mountain to climb in the return leg against Benfica.

Chelsea warmed up with a drab goalless draw against Tottenham on Saturday.

Di Matteo said: “We need to remind ourselves of what we did and mentally what we needed to win that game against Napoli because games in Europe are a little bit different.

“Ideally we would like to score an away goal – but not concede.

“An away goal is very important. If you can get that it gives you a big chance.

“Defensively we look much better and solid and we are making it more difficult for the opposition to score.

“That’s a positive sign and we’ve got players in the team who can score goals.”

Defender Branislav Ivanovic should be fit after missing the Spurs game with a thigh injury.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Petr Cech has warned the club face a year in the wilderness if they miss out on the Champions League next season.