Nicki Minaj - Starships

Nas - The Don (Explicit)

WEEKEND EPL

Roy for England! Hodgson is the shock choice but fans' backlash begins

The Football Association have taken the astonishing decision to approach Roy Hodgson to become the next England manager, ignoring widespread calls for Harry Redknapp to succeed Fabio Capello.

But the immediate outcry over Hodgson’s seemingly imminent appointment could complicate Monday afternoon’s talks between the West Bromwich Albion manager and the FA.

The FA hope to all but have a new manager in place by the time the meeting ends but Hodgson is understood to be expressing concern that he is not the popular choice.

Thumbs up: Hodgson is in talks with England over the vacant managerial position

Snub: Redknapp had been the favourite to take over from Capello who quit the post in February

Earlier this season the 64-year-old insisted he did not want a repeat of his Liverpool experience. He said: ‘I don’t think the Liverpool people thought I was a particularly bad manager, they just wanted somebody else. So having taken on a job in the face of public opinion, I suppose I wouldn’t want to do it again.

‘I would rather hope that, if I was ever going to be offered the England job, it would be with the backing of the important people. And that would of course be the people like yourselves, who represent the fans, and the fans themselves of course. Otherwise, it’s going to be a very difficult job for anyone who takes it. 

Three Lions: Hodgson is set to take charge of Parker and Co this summer

In good company: Hodgson (left) is seen here pictured with Bernstein last month

Hodgson's honours 

Swedish League: 1976, 1979 (Halmstad); 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 (Malmo).
Swedish Cup: 1985-86, 1988-89 (Malmo).
Danish League: 2000-01 (FC Copenhagen).
Danish Cup: 2000-01 (FC Copenhagen).
UEFA Cup: runner-up 1996-97 (Inter Milan).
Europa League: runner-up 2009-10 (Fulham).

'Because even if you’ve got the competence, even if you are the right person, you need to be perceived as the right person. And the perception of my Liverpool appointment was not right and as a result, of course, you end up paying for it.’

The FA remain confident that Hodgson would accept the job despite the fact that Redknapp has received the public support of senior England players as well as members of the FA board.

Backlash: Liverpool fans were not keen on Hodgson... and England fans could follow suit

The FA hope to see Hodgson to leave his position at West Brom in time for this summer’s European Championship, with the FA confirming that the four-man Club England board have no intention of even talking to Redknapp.

Long career: Roy Hodgson (centre) with the Bristol City board in 1982

Roy's international history 

Roy Hodgson is one of the most well-travelled coaches England has ever produced and has worked at international level on three different occasions.Here, Sportsmail evaluates his previous jobs at the highest level.

SWITZERLAND (1992-1995)

Hodgson took his first international post after impressing in the country's domestic competition with Neuchatel Xamax.

He succeeded in winning qualification to the 1994 World Cup, progressing from a tough group that included Italy and Portugal. His side took four points off the Azzurri, who went on to reach the final.

Hodgson next led the team to qualification for Euro '96 but left before the tournament to take charge at Inter Milan. His final game was a 3-1 friendly defeat to England.

At their peak, FIFA ranked Hodgson's Switzerland No 3 in the world.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (2002-2004)

Hodgson returned to the global stage at the unlikely outpost of the UAE, where he took over responsibility for both the national and Olympic sides.

He remained for 20 months, taking the side to one tournament - finishing fifth in the Gulf Cup.

He later said of the experience: 'That was a period where I didn't know where my career was going. But all these experiences enrich you and it was good to know I could get my message to players who many say are uncoachable.'

FINLAND (2006-2007)

Hodgson took on the task of leading Finland to their first major international tournament and was close to achieving that unlikely feat in qualification for Euro 2008.

He won just six of his matches in charge of the side, but all of those victories came in competitive fixtures.

Notable results included a 3-1 victory at eventual group winners Poland and a 1-1 draw with Portugal.

Finland finished just three points away from qualification but Hodgson opted not to sign a new deal, instead resurfacing at Fulham. 

In what amounted to an amazing development, FA chairman David Bernstein contacted West Brom chief Jeremy Peace asking for permission to speak to the former Switzerland and Finland coach.

Sportsmail understands Bernstein and his three Club England colleagues — director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking, FA general secretary Alex Horne and Club England managing director Adrian Bevington — only informed the FA board last night.

By then West Brom and Hodgson had received their approach, even leaving senior FA powerbrokers stunned when they were convinced Redknapp was the favourite to take charge after Capello quit in February.

Only last week, Bolton chairman and FA board member Phil Gartside declared Redknapp the perfect man for the job, saying: ‘Harry is an outstanding English manager. He’s had success at every club he has been at and he sets teams up to win.’

Tottenham officials were also left bewildered, given how the speculation concerning their manager has clearly affected the club’s season.

Clearly, there is opposition within the Club England board against Redknapp despite FA denials that Brooking has an issue dating back to when Billy Bonds was replaced by Redknapp as West Ham boss.

Last year Hodgson was sacked by Liverpool after a brief but disastrous spell at Anfield. There are echoes of Brian Clough here, the FA ignoring the nation’s voice — and the desire to see the man who guided Tottenham into the Champions League in 2010 and masterminded those stunning performances against the giants of Milan — and going for the safer option.

But the FA will argue Hodgson, as a highly qualified coach, will be more in tune with their blueprint for the future of English football and be more willing to embrace the new National Football Centre at Burton. Another attraction is how much cheaper he will be. Redknapp could have cost the governing body as much as £10million in compensation given certain clauses in his Tottenham contract.

Hodgson, however, will cost nothing and is out of contract this summer.

Last night Redknapp was also said to be stunned by the news, having set his heart on taking the national team.

As part of a statement, Bernstein said: ‘Roy is the only manager we have approached and we remain on course to make an appointment within the timescale we set-out soon after Fabio Capello’s departure.’

Italian job: Hodgson took charge of Inter in 2005

1947: Born on August 9 in Croydon.
1965-75: Player with Crystal Palace, Gravesend and Northfleet, Maidstone and South African side Berea Park.
1976: Starts managerial career with Halmstad in Sweden, winning two championships.
1980: Joins Bristol City as assistant manager.
1982: Appointed manager at Ashton Gate but dismissed within four months after poor run of results when club is taken over by new owners. Returns to Sweden, where he manages Orebro and then Malmo, who won five consecutive championships and two Swedish Cups under him.
1990: Leaves Sweden for Switzerland, taking over at Neuchatel Xamax.
1992: Becomes manager of Switzerland, whom he takes to the 1994 World Cup finals in the United States. Also in charge when they qualified for Euro 96.
1995: Appointed manager of Inter Milan.
1997: Agrees to become Blackburn manager (left) in the summer. While still at Inter, his side lose to German club Schalke in the UEFA Cup final on penalties.
1998: May: Takes Blackburn into European competition for the first time since 1995 but Rovers win only two of their final 11 Premier League matches to fail in chase for title.
November: Sacked by Blackburn with the club bottom of the Premier League, having taken just nine points from 14 games.
1999: Shortlisted for Austria job. Returns to Inter on April 27 as technical director until the end of the season.
Joins Swiss side Grasshopper.
2000: Appointed coach of Danish side FC Copenhagen. Linked with England job after resignation of Kevin Keegan.

Handy: Hodgson took Fulham to the Europa League final

2001: May - Takes Copenhagen to the Superliga title.
August: Takes over as coach of Serie A club Udinese.
December 10 - Udinese and Hodgson part company.
2002: April - Appointed manager of the United Arab Emirates.
2004: January - Sacked after leading side to fifth place at the Gulf Cup.
May - Joins Norwegian side Viking FK.
2005: August - Agrees to take over as boss of Finland national team.
2007: November 30 - Quits after failing to secure qualification for Euro 2008.
December 30 - Appointed Fulham manager.
2008: Fulham win four of their last five Premier League games of the season to stave off relegation.
2009: Guides the Cottagers to their highest ever top-flight finish, seventh, and ensures Europa League qualification.
2010: March 18 - Oversees a stunning second-leg comeback against Juventus in the Europa League quarter-final as a 4-1 win takes Fulham into the quarter-finals 5-4 on aggregate.
May 12 - Hodgson's side go down 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in extra-time in the Europa League final in Hamburg.
July 1 - Announced as new manager of Liverpool on a three-year contract.
September 23 - Dumped out of the League Cup on penalties at Anfield by League Two side Northampton.
October 3 - Poor form continues with a 2-1 defeat to newly-promoted Blackpool - again at Anfield.
October 15 - US company New England Sports Ventures, owner of the Boston Red Sox, complete their takeover of Liverpool.
December 29 - Criticises Reds fans after another home defeat - this time 1-0 to Wolves.
2011: January 8 - Liverpool announce Hodgson has left the club.
February 11 - Takes over as West Brom coach after the Baggies part company with Roberto Di Matteo.
May - Takes West Brom to 11th in the table after a strong end-of-season run.
April 22 - Leads his side to a 1-0 win over Liverpool on his first return to Anfield.
April 29 - West Brom grant the Football Association permission to speak to Hodgson about the vacant manager's position

Win and we'll dominate English football for years, claims Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes victory in the thrilling Barclays Premier League title race with neighbours United could see his club dominate English football for years to come.

Mancini’s team will top the league on goal difference with two games to go if they can beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in what has been billed as the most important Manchester derby ever at a packed Etihad Stadium on Monday night.

On Sunday Mancini said: 'It is important that we don’t win just one championship. I want to leave a legacy.

In their hands: Manchester City can grab the title if they win their remaining matches

'Our targets should be to match the achievements of United, Barcelona and Real Madrid in the future.

'I think that Manchester City are set up now to win many trophies. That has to be the target.

'Manchester City will be a top club for many years and I think the team that starts next season will be stronger than the one that finishes this season.

'One of the things that attracted me to City was the chance to change their history.'

Mancini is attempting to deliver City’s first league title since 1968, another year when they pipped United to the throne.

In front a worldwide TV audience expected to be in the region of 650million, Mancini will start with the Carlos Tevez-Sergio Aguero partnership up front and will leave Mario Balotelli on the bench or even in the stands.

Stormy: The game is likely to be a tempestuous affair

Trip: Manchester United players returning for their crunch clash after a relaxing weekend in Wales

United, meanwhile, are expected to have Jonny Evans missing after the Irishman missed most of last week’s training, which is likely to mean Chris Smalling lining up at centre-half and Phil Jones at right-back.

However, winger Nani, who was injured last Friday, trained before United took a bumpy flight back from their weekend base in Wales on Sunday.

Ferguson is also considering recalling Ji-Sung Park for his first league start since January as he looks to stifle City’s attacking threat.

Mancini received public backing from City owner Sheikh Mansour last week and his job looks safe regardless of the result.

Dominant: City thrashed United 6-1 at Old Trafford earlier this season

There is a remote chance that the Sheikh may make a surprise visit to his club on Monday. UEFA president Michel Platini will be present while legendary Argentina striker Maradona is expected to arrive from Dubai to watch son-in-law Aguero.

Mancini added: 'If we beat United to the title it would be the biggest achievement of my career because it is England, it is the best championship in Europe.

'And for an Italian manager to win the Premier League would make it better than anything else I have done in the game.

Preparing: Sir Alex Ferguson could deploy Danny Welbeck against United's rivals

'I think the Sheikh and the chairman Khaldoon are happy with what we have done this season. But I’m not important.

'If they want to change all the staff they can do that and put good people in their places.' Meanwhile, United midfielder Paul Scholes has given the clearest indication yet that he may extend his playing career in to next season.

Asked in an interview with his former United colleague Fabien Barthez about his brief foray in to coaching, he said: Scholes said: 'Probably I was not quite ready.

'I don’t know what the future holds but I’ll get another chance at coaching in a couple of years.'

Chelsea 6 QPR 1: Fernando hat-trick is more proof Di Matteo has the magic tough

With every game, Roberto Di Matteo presents Roman  Abramovich with another reason to give him the manager’s job permanently.

After Tottenham at Wembley, after  Barcelona at Stamford Bridge and then the Nou Camp, where victory over the best team in the world was completed, came this — proof that the Italian can draw the best out of Fernando Torres.

On Sunday the quality of the opposition was not quite as high. A QPR side now perilously close to slipping into the bottom three were awful. From one to 11, or one to 52 in their case, they were abject, impotent, utterly hopeless. Rarely can Mark Hughes have suffered greater humiliation.

Three and easy: Torres bagged his first hat-trick since scoring three against Hull in 2009

Abramovich missed the game in Barcelona but the Chelsea owner was here to see his £50million striker lead the demolition and how he enjoyed himself, high-fiving with his lieutenants up in the directors’ box when Torres completed his first hat-trick for the club.But under the guidance of their ‘interim first-team coach’ Chelsea were still excellent, somehow managing to play with real fluency and finesse when the pitch was so waterlogged there was talk of a possible postponement before kick-off. Never mind the flooding, from the moment Daniel Sturridge scored after 47 seconds the QPR floodgates opened.

Seriously, what more does Di Matteo have to do? He has taken a team in a state of  complete disarray and revived them to such an extent they are now scoring for fun,  preparing for two major finals and still very much in the hunt for a top-four finish.

In the 16 games that amount to his brief but brilliant tenure this was his 11th victory, his only defeat coming at Manchester City on a night when Chelsea could consider  themselves a little unfortunate.

Unless Pep Guardiola does suddenly decide he wants a new challenge, unless Jose  Mourinho suddenly fancies coming back, Abramovich might struggle to come up with a reason for recruiting yet another new manager when Di Matteo seems to know how to inspire as well as organise these players. Never mind come up with contrasting  tactical approaches — defensive against  Barcelona, more offensive here — and still get the same end result.

Return to form: Torres bagged two in the first half to make it four goals in two games for the Blues

Hughes would clearly give anything for a bit of that magic dust, such is the predicament he is in. QPR are only ahead of 18th-placed  Bolton on goal difference, and Owen Coyle’s side have a game in hand. They meet  Tottenham at home, West Brom at home and then Stoke away, while QPR host Stoke before going to Manchester City.

Chelsea were not the greatest hosts. The Premier League might have cancelled the customary handshake to avoid any legal complication with John Terry’s impending trial. But it did not spare Anton Ferdinand from a deluge of abuse from a large section of home supporters before, during and after this game. It was shameful, even if QPR’s fans gave Terry some stick too, some of it directed towards the Chelsea captain’s family.

For Ferdinand, this amounted to a miserable afternoon. He played a part in Sturridge’s opening goal, the ball rebounding off the defender’s shin before the Chelsea forward beat Paddy Kenny at his near post with a stunning 18-yard strike, and the following 89 minutes were not much better.

Opener: Sturridge got the ball rolling inside a minute for the Blues and Malouda (below) scored the sixth

In Kenny’s defence, Frank Lampard might have blocked his view in what was an offside position for that first goal.

But Chelsea were so, so dominant, and when Lampard forced Kenny to concede a corner with a super chip, Chelsea struck again. The excellent Juan Mata delivered from the right, with Terry rising above  Clint Hill to head the ball home with ease.

Terry had apologised to the fans for his red card in Barcelona in his programme notes but he did again after scoring, pressing his hand against the club badge. By the 25th minute Chelsea had doubled their lead. First when Torres accelerated on to a ball from Salomon Kalou before skipping past Kenny and slotting the ball into an empty net; and then when the Spaniard seized on a mistake by the QPR goalkeeper, who dropped Nedum Onuoha’s header back to him.

Triple serving: Torres slides home his hat-trick strike and celebrates with the fans (below)

 

No part of QPR’s game was working. Passing, defending. They were shockingly disjointed, only displaying any accuracy when Joey Barton left his foot on Mata’s ankle.

Another Mata ball enabled Torres to score his third in the 64th minute, the Spain striker producing a classic finish to complete his first hat-trick since scoring one for Liverpool against Hull in 2009. At that point Chelsea’s fans delivered a chorus of ‘There’s only one Di Matteo’. Under him, Torres has scored seven goals. Florent Malouda scored  Chelsea’s sixth, in the 80th minute before Djibril Cisse finally responded for QPR in the 85th. That Cisse celebrated wildly was bizarre to say the least.

Plenty to ponder: Hughes side are facing relegation while Di Matteo (below) has a two cup finals to plan

Less of a surprise was the sight of Terry avoiding any potential embarrassment by going to the fans at the sound of the final whistle and so steering clear of the QPR  players who might have declined the offer of his hand in support of Ferdinand. That said, Barton had shaken hands with him when the two captains met for the coin toss and QPR coach Marc Bircham did so as Terry  disappeared down the tunnel.

Down the tunnel and into a jubilant dressing room that has been lifted by a young manager who has proved better suited to the job than someone Abramovich paid millions of pounds to free from his contract at Porto.

If Andre Villas-Boas was worth a gamble, then so too is Di Matteo.

Safe distance: There was no handshake between Ferdinand and Terry

MAQ00144

leo apatoshe

Mancini told his job is safe at City... even if they lose out to United in title race

Mansour has declared the club's season a success even if they come up short in their efforts to catch rivals Manchester United in the Premier League title race.

City trail United by three points going into next Monday's derby at the Etihad Stadium, but have a superior goal difference and know that by winning their three remaining matches they would almost certainly claim a first league crown since 1968.

Your job is safe, Roberto: Mancini after City's win over Wolves on Sunday

 

hey were handed a second chance when United threw away a 4-2 lead to draw 4-4 with Everton on Sunday, with City having blown a five-point advantage over the defending champions in recent weeks.

Mansour, in rare public comments, told Abu Dhabi TV he was excited to have a shot at the title, but was already pleased with how the season has gone.

'The difference is three points and we do have a chance,' he said.

Happy enough: Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour says Roberto Mancini's job is safe

'But whatever happens and even if we don't win I am very happy and satisfied with the players, the team and the management.

'They have performed very well and have improved in their last few matches.'

The comments indicate manager Roberto Mancini's job is safe regardless of the outcome of the title race.

Right back in the race: Samir Nasri's goal helped Manchester City to beat Wolves on Sunday

After next Monday's derby showdown with United, City face a trip to Newcastle, and a home match against QPR on the final day.

Rivals United entertain Swansea in their penultimate match, and go to Sunderland on what could yet be a dramatic final weekend of the campaign.

Game on! Everton's comeback has thrown the title race back open again

Pep lets his guard drop: Ice-cool Barca boss shows he’s feeling the heat after hard week

If a bad week points to something more serious, if Barcelona are on the brink of collapse, there was not a huge amount of evidence here on Monday. 

Beaten twice and in danger of losing their manager as well as a place in a Champions League final that was considered theirs before they even met Chelsea, Barcelona have appeared chastened and  vulnerable in the past six days. 

Feeling the strain: Guardiola used the F-word during his pre-match press conference

 

They lost at Stamford Bridge. They lost again to Real Madrid - a 2-1 defeat, their first at the Nou Camp since September 2010, that  probably cost them La Liga. 

And last night, even more rarely, Pep Guardiola lost his rag. It was unusual, his sudden use of the F-word - in response to the  criticism he received for playing  20-year-old Cristian Tello on Saturday - certainly enough to create some excitement and intrigue among seasoned Barcelona watchers.

But was this the Catalan equivalent of squeaky bum time or was that limited to Lionel Messi and a gastric problem that prevented him from training on Sunday?

Centre of attention: Chelsea arrive in Spain with a slender advantage in their semi-final clash

In Gerard Pique, world and European champion, double Champions League winner and other half of Shakira, there was no great sense of crisis. 

While facing the inevitable questions about his appearance on the bench for the last two games, he managed to maintain an aura of invincibility that suggested Guardiola and his players remain extremely confident about meeting Chelsea again this evening despite the manager's outburst.

It was an impressive display by the former Manchester United  centre half, particularly on the subject of Didier Drogba. 

Under pressure: Barcelona have tasted back-to-back defeats against Chelsea and Real Madrid

Drogba's time-wasting incensed the Catalans last week but Pique, who expects to be back in the Barca defence tonight, was surprisingly generous towards the Chelsea striker, dismissing the idea he was 'diving and cheating' to slow down the game. 

'I believe in Drogba,' he said. 'I believe in his honesty.' Any hint of irony was well hidden, as were any concerns he might have in the wake of those back-to-back defeats.

Pique dismissed the idea that Barcelona's time is almost up; that they have been sussed out; that, like all the great teams, they can only remain at the top for so long.

Drog on: Pique appeared to back the under-fire Chelsea star

'In this country people talk very easily about a change of cycle,' he said. 'But things don't just change after one defeat. A team that has won 13 trophies in three-and-a-half years deserves more credit than that.' 

It does indeed, but it is also what makes the second leg of this Champions League semi-final so interesting.

All smiles: Pique was in good spirits on Monday

Three of the four trophies that have eluded Barcelona over the period Pique refers to have been won by Jose Mourinho and that has to be of some encouragement to Chelsea when Mourinho was their creator. 

Their record against the Catalans is also far from shabby. Last week Chelsea extended an unbeaten run against Barcelona to six matches, with Lionel Messi now having failed to score against them in seven.

'They are hard to play against because they are really strong, really competitive,' said Pique.

'They have players like Drogba and Lampard; players with a lot of games in their legs.' 

Old legs might find life that much more difficult on a pitch said to be 239 square metres larger than the playing surface at Stamford Bridge, even if Petr Cech argued last night it should not make a difference. But old heads and old habits need to be central to the approach Roberto Di Matteo employs. 

Barcelona will dominate possession. They have done so for 243 consecutive matches over four years, and Chelsea are sure to let them have the ball again. 

But Chelsea need to focus on what they do well - fast counter-attacks, well executed set-pieces - because it is from there the goal Di Matteo certainly thinks they will need could come. 

Of the 43 Barcelona have conceded this season, more than 25 per cent have been from set-pieces. 

Joker in the pack: Chelsea stopper Petr Cech

Cech brought the house down last night when he responded to the question of whether Mourinho had been of any assistance by jokingly revealing they had enjoyed a tactical meeting with their former manager a few hours earlier. 

But Wigan manager Roberto  Martinez is a Catalan who gives an insight into where this tie could be won and lost. 

He said: 'At Stamford Bridge you saw the biggest difference between the Premier League and La Liga; it's in the transitional play, as soon as you lose the ball, that period of three seconds. In England they kill you in those three seconds. In the first leg Messi gives the ball away to Lampard and three seconds later it is in the back of the net.

'The difference is what a team does when it first regains possession. In Spain they like to keep the ball, relieve the pressure and then start to attack. Here the first pass on regaining possession is forward. The Barcelona midfield could not cope with the speed of that transition. They could not get back into the box in time to stop Ramires and Drogba and it was started by a great ball from Lampard.' 

Martinez thinks the bigger pitch could prove significant, increasing the pressure on Chelsea to make it count when they secure a set-piece advantage or can suddenly break forward. But he sees it as an intriguing clash of styles that is hard to call. 

A clash that is complicated further by Chelsea having five players a booking away from missing the final in Munich, including David Luiz, who is unlikely to play.  Barcelona have only two. 

The desire is nevertheless strong in Chelsea. As Cech said, many of the players have been waiting eight years to lift the European Cup. But then the desire is strong in Barcelona, too, particularly when some dare suggest they are past it.

'We are ready to fight against them,' said Guardiola. Some fight it promises to be.

 

Chelsea can win it! Di Matteo backs Blues to beat Barca and then lift trophy in Munich

Roberto Di Matteo has declared Chelsea are 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 tonight determined to complete the job.

Chelsea have been written off this season and even before that, something that prompted Di Matteo to hit out at their critics after Saturday's Barclays Premier League game at Arsenal.

In the spotlight: Chelsea boss Di Matteo takes his side in battle at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night

 

And he was adamant this evening 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 tonight.

'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.'

An ultra-defensive formation runs a huge risk of one of Chelsea's players picking up a yellow card - or worse.

Fitness battle: Drogba took full part in the training session

With four of their likely starters one booking from a suspension, there are places in the final on the line in more ways than one.

'I don't think we can be thinking about that in the game tomorrow,' said Di Matteo, who looks set to start Branislav Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, Raul Meireles and Ramires.

'The players will be playing fully focused on their task and their responsibilities in the game. We cannot speculate on the bookings.'

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 tonight 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.'

Quiet before the storm: The famous stadium is hosting the players' training ahead of the semi-final second leg

Real Madrid arguably showed Di Matteo the way, with Saturday's 2-1 victory at the Nou Camp in what could prove the Primera Division's title decider.

'You cannot take another team and another manager, with the team we have," Di Matteo said.

'We have to look at the players who will play tomorrow and try to get the best out of them, and play to the qualities of our team.'

Chelsea's recent success has been built on returning to their core values that begins with solid defending.

That has been led by John Terry and January signing Gary Cahill and Di Matteo said: "We're very pleased with the way our defenders have been playing lately.

'We've been able to defend very well, keep some clean sheets. We've been positively impressed with Gary since he came to the club.'

Meanwhile, Petr Cech admitted it felt like Groundhog Day as the club once again stood on the brink of reaching the Champions League final.

Final preparations: Di Matteo took his side through the session at the Nou Camp

Cech and his Blues team-mates arrived in Barcelona this afternoon just 90 minutes away from one of the most famous victories in their history.

The 29-year-old acknowledged that had been little more than a pipe dream when caretaker manager Di Matteo was first charged with picking up the pieces of Andre Villas-Boas' doomed reign.

But an astonishing seven weeks later and that dream is close to becoming a reality for a man who has played in five of Chelsea's six semi-finals - and their only previous final - since Roman Abramovich bought 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 ahead of tomorrow's second leg at the Nou Camp.

'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.'

In it to win it: Di Matteo has backed his players to go all the way