Chelsea need ‘perfect game’

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo believes his side needed must to produce “a perfect game” tonight in their Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk.

Di Matteo repeated his mantra from last season’s stunning upset of Barcelona ahead of tonight’s showdown at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian had already billed the Group E game with Shakhtar as Chelsea’s biggest since they were crowned kings of Europe, and he was under no illusions about the task facing his side against opponents who completely outplayed them in the reverse fixture two weeks ago to move three points clear at the top of the pool.

Admitting it was time his players played like European champions after taking just four points from their opening three matches, Di Matteo said: “We need to be at our best. We need a perfect game. Every individual player going on the pitch has to perform at the highest of their ability.

“It’s important we start well and get the crowd behind us and draw confidence from a good start.”

Di Matteo said: “There are some comparisons certainly to last season, when we had must-win games. This is another like that.

“Fortunately, we have players with the experience who have been through that before.

“We have to play the perfect game to beat Shakhtar, but we’re strong at home. We’ve shown that over many years, and we’ll be fired up for this game to win it.”

Blues right-back Branislav Ivanovic warned the Blues must not forget their defensive duties tonight.

“If we’re going to be successful, we have to be defensively strong as a team,” he said.

“This is the part of the game we have to improve as a team. I’m sure we can create chances against any team, and can score the goals. The question is about our defence and that’s what we’re going to work harder on.”

Chelsea will be boosted by the return of John Terry after their captain completed his domestic four-match racism ban. The European champions have shipped a whopping 10 goals in his absence and Ivanovic said: “It is important to see him on the pitch to give support and the control of the game, and also the motivation for the players. He’s a very important player for our team.”

Shakhtar have proven they are no pushovers though, and the Ukrainian side’s boss Mircea Lucescu has warned Chelsea he is ready to mastermind another shock victory at Stamford Bridge.

Lucescu was the last manager to win a group game at the home of the Blues when Besiktas triumphed there in 2003.

“I prepare my players knowing very well that absolutely all the teams can be beaten, even Chelsea at home,” said Lucescu.

Shakhtar’s recent win over the European champions was their 17th victory in 18 games this season, their only blip being a 1-1 draw at Juventus.

They have also won a record 23 straight Premier League matches and have not been beaten competitively for almost a year.

The Ukrainians would appear to have all the tools to deal a near-fatal blow to the Champions League hopes of Di Matteo’s men.

“When you play in the championship in your country, you can actually undo your mistakes. But if you play in the Champions League, each loss is very important so you can’t just undo it, Lucescu said.

“Chelsea are a very strong team but we are not the weakest.”