www.espn.co.uk (© ESPN EMEA Ltd)
Updated: 23/04/2012 18:56 | By ESPN staff, www.espn.co.uk

Di Matteo delays Drogba decision



Didier Drogba celebrates his goal, Chelsea v Barcelona, Champions League, Stamford Bridge, London, April 18, 2012

Didier Drogba's goal is currently the difference between the two sides

Chelsea interim manager Roberto Di Matteo will wait until Tuesday morning before deciding whether or not striker Didier Drogba will start against Barcelona in the Champions League.

The Blues go into the second leg of the semi-final contest against the defending champions with a 1-0 lead, thanks to a goal from Drogba in the first leg at Stamford Bridge last week.

However, the Ivorian missed the weekend's Premier League draw with Arsenal due to an injury picked up in that contest, with Di Matteo unsure if he would recover from the injury in time for Tuesday's second leg.

Drogba played a full part in training at Camp Nou on Monday evening, but his Italian manager revealed he will not make a decision about his participation in the game until the morning of the match at the earliest.

"I will evaluate the form and physical fitness of all my players, and then I will make the team selection based on that probably tomorrow morning," Di Matteo said. "So I cannot tell you [if Drogba will play] until tomorrow night."

Barcelona have their own worries about the fitness of a key player, with reports circulating about an injury problem for talisman Lionel Messi on Monday. However, the forward also played a full part in his side's training session ahead of the game and looks set to play a full part on Tuesday.

The Champions League has been an elusive dream for Chelsea for a number of years, but goalkeeper Petr Cech is hopeful this might just be the year everything changes for the club.

"I've been hoping for the last eight years that it would be the year I'd have a chance to win the Champions League,'' Cech said. "Here we are again, in the semi-final.

"We always try to reach the final and go as far as we can, to try and win the competition. Many times we were close and haven't managed to do so.

"If we have a fantastic game tomorrow, we'll have a chance to reach the final. But we need to play the 90 minutes tomorrow - then we might be able to think about a final.''

For more on Football, visit ESPNsoccernet.com

16Comments
23/04/2012 21:51
avatar
well,you wouldn't play torres based on saturdays performance
24/04/2012 05:03
avatar
good luck Barcelona at least one thing is in your favour when we knock you out you don't got very far to go to get home

CHELSEA ALL THE WAY COME ON YOU BLUES AND SOD ALL YOU NON BELIEVERS
24/04/2012 08:14
avatar

bob byrne

If Chelsea get past Barca, and admittedly it's a big if, how can you possibly say they won't beat BM or RM? That's just silly talk..

avatar
Lets face it, no-one expected Chelsea to beat Barcelona first time around and nobody is going to expect it again.  So what the hell, nothing to lose.  What if Chelsea score first, Barca then need 3.  Barcelona know they need to go for it, maybe they will slip up. So Chelsea had 1 shot on target, they defended for most of the game.  The only thing mattered was that they won.  It doesn't matter that Edwin van der Sar and Ronald Koeman slagged them off for being boring.  So come on Blues, be boring if you want,  lets get to the final.  Winning is the only thing that matters.
24/04/2012 06:12
avatar
The Blues go into the second leg of the semi-final contest against the defending champions with a 1-0 lead, thanks to a goal from Drogba in the first leg at Stamford Bridge UP CHELSEA
23/04/2012 23:29
avatar
Got a feeling its going to be Barca 2-1 Chelsea....just a feeling, could be wrong.
avatar
Some people slaggin Chelsea off for being boring or playing non-football im no fan but it was called tactics last time i looked, and Chelsea are able to change theirs depending on who they play. If they get through and meet Bayern for instance, im sure they would go toe to toe with them. But unless your a Barca fan why would you want them to win anyway? C'mon Chelsea beat the stumpy spaniards!!
avatar
All the Blues need is to score one more goal and the rest is history.   We look forward to the final, it does not matter who we play, Chelsea will win the trophy that has slipped past them in previous years, Torres could not be as bad as the Penalty miss by JT against Man U ????  As for the manager of the year award our boy Roberto de Mateo has it in the bag as far as I am concerned !!!  He deserves another 3 years in the top job to fully develop what will be a great team, and not just a good one !! GO BLUES    "Blue is the Colour, Chelsea is the name ..... 
avatar

Also i dont want Fabregas to think he made the right choice, by leaving Arsenal by winning the Champions league, so please Chelsea make Fabregas cry!!!

 

avatar
I wish Chelsea all the best, its a long shot but they only need the draw. Barca have no option but to attack, maybe it will make some space at the back that Chelsea can get into.And If there is one defence that could hold out against Barca its Chelsea, they just got to weather a storm for 90+ minutes. Maybe Torres will finally show why he was worth £50 million?
24/04/2012 12:22
avatar
@ BOB BYRNE
Your talking a load of crap my friend, first you say no one has the balls to attack barcelona except R.Madrid, even though they played the same as chelsea defend and attack with counter attacks. R.Madrid only had about 29% possession, then you say chelsea wouldn't stand a chance against R.madrid or B.m. Your joking right ?? if we can beat or draw with the best side in the world tonight then we'll have everychance.
P.S Defending is just as much of an art as attacking.

24/04/2012 02:32
avatar

let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love, and once we begin to love each other naturally we want to do something.

Look at my name,it is a nice place for older people.
















"I have no difficulty in believing that," said Sherwood judicially. "Your case is mighty weak yet, Cal."

"But he claims it was so hard that they used it for a grindstone."

"I did not!" disclaimed Webb indignantly.

An accusing groan met this statement.

23/04/2012 23:17
avatar
To be honest, Denis wise or Glen Hoddle should start out, see how they get on!!
avatar
i hope chelsea win but i cant see it barca at home beat by chelsea beat by madrid i think its going to be a long nite for the blues damage limitation comes to mind
23/04/2012 23:49
avatar
I admire the optimism of Sheva7 - considering Chelsea managed 1 shot on goal at home - I f Chelsea play the same again this tie will be over before half time, you wont get away with it twice - ist leg should have been 1-3, problem is no one has the balls to attack Barca, apart from R. Madrid. If  Chelsea got through playing the way they did at home,they win but football loses. They wouldn't beat Madrid or Bayern anyway - my tip is Bayern to win this anyway. 
23/04/2012 20:01
avatar
Barca wil get him sent off if  terry is mug enough to play him
Report
Please help us to maintain a healthy and vibrant community by reporting any illegal or inappropriate behavior. If you believe a message violates theCode of Conductplease use this form to notify the moderators. They will investigate your report and take appropriate action. If necessary, they report all illegal activity to the proper authorities.
Categories
100 character limit
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
10 reasons to make MSN UK your homepage (© Microsoft)

latest sport videos

msn sport poll

Will Gareth Bale be a Spurs player at the start of next season?

Thanks for being one of the first people to vote. Results will be available soon. Check for results

  1.  
    33 %
    Yes
    1,262 votes
  2. 67 %
    No
    2,526 votes

Total Responses: 3,788
Not scientifically valid. Results are updated every minute.