Drogba hails his best ever form as Blues into last 16

DIDIER DROGBA acknowledged he is in the best form of his career after helping Chelsea reach the last 16 of the Champions League last night.

Drogba returned from a three-match European suspension to fire two goals in the last eight minutes and help the Blues come from behind to lead Atletico Madrid.

The hosts levelled to make it 2-2 but Drogba’s two goals, which take his season’s tally to 12, mean Chelsea progress safely from Group D.

And the Ivory Coast international striker, asked afterwards if he was in the form of his life, said: “I think so.

“A few years ago I was playing with the same confidence. It’s always easier when you are playing injury-free.”

On the late host’s equaliser Drogba continued: “I think we could have done better with the wall and maybe avoided the free-kick.

“It’s frustrating to concede a goal like this after the efforts we produced – but it was a good game.

“I’ve played many Champions League games before but it’s good to be on the pitch – I always say I am happy to be on the pitch and playing.

“Madrid had to win so they gave everything but even after they scored we kept pushing and we played even better. We scored two goals but it wasn’t enough to win the game.”

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti said: “I’m happy because we are in the next phase of the Champions League and this is important.

“It was a difficult match and I think the result is good because Atletico played well.

“They put a lot of pressure on us in first half but I think we did well – not the best but it was good.

“Didier is an important player for us. We have a lot of important players but he is doing very well and we are happy.”

Chelsea now turn their attentions to a Premier League match against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Drogba admitted: “I think we were also thinking about Manchester United tonight but we did everything we had to do today.

“Now we can focus on Sunday because it’s very important to beat them (United) at home.

“We have to show different qualities and be better than today. Today was far from a good performance, we played well but were not good enough to win.”

Ancelotti denied that Sunday’s match had distracted his players: “The players thought about this (last night’s) game. Now we have time to think about Manchester United and we have to prepare well, with calmness, to do our best.”

Drogba’s strikes cancelled out a stunning volley by Atletico striker Sergio Aguero in the 66th minute, but the young Argentinian had the last say as he curled home a brilliant injury-time free-kick to salvage a 2-2 draw for the hosts.

Drogba had drawn Chelsea level in the 82nd minute when he rose highest to head home Malouda’s cross from the left, and then looked to have clinched a stunning comeback victory as he latched onto Ashley Cole’s through-ball and slotted home at the second attempt after Asenjo had saved his initial effort.

That was in the 88th minute, but there was still a late twist as Atletico netted an injury-time equaliser when Aguero curled home a brilliant free-kick from 25 yards out to seal a draw.

Subs for Atletico: Aguero for Pongolle, 53, Maxi for Reyes, 72, Jurado for Simao, 84.

Subs for Chelsea: Ballack for Essien, 59, Deco for Cole, Anelka for Kalou, both 70.