Di Matteo hails Chelsea quality

Roberto Di Matteo declared Chelsea were good enough to win the Champions League as he stood on the brink of leading them to arguably the greatest victory in their history.

Barely seven weeks since taking charge and less than seven days after masterminding an astonishing semi-final first-leg win over Barcelona, caretaker Blues boss Di Matteo arrived at the Nou Camp determined to complete the job.

Chelsea have been written off this season but Di Matteo was adamant they have what it takes to end their agonising nine-year wait for Champions League glory since Roman Abramovich bought the club. "We do have the qualities within this team," he said.

"I think we need away from home, as we've seen in the past, a bit of luck to be able to do well in a competition like this. But, certainly, the quality and the squad we have at Chelsea is very good."

Di Matteo has been praised and condemned in almost equal measure for placing such an emphasis on defence in Wednesday's night's 1-0 first-leg win and he defended those tactics again.

"You have to utilise the strengths of your players, and see what the weakness of the opposition is," he said. "I respect other people's opinion, but I disagree."

Of more concern to Di Matteo is the fitness of Didier Drogba, who was the match-winner last week and once again proved a thorn in Barcelona's side.

Drogba trained on Monday night after missing the Arsenal game with a knee injury and Di Matteo said: "I'll assess the physical and mental state of my players. I'll make the team selection tomorrow morning, so I can't tell you what it'll be tomorrow night."

Drogba would boost Chelsea's chances of scoring an away goal that would leave Barca needing to net three.

"I do think we'll have to try and score a goal," Di Matteo said. "That would give us a greater chance. I think it'll be difficult just playing for a goalless draw."