Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo claims his side needed to produce ``a perfect game'' in their ``must-win'' Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk.

Di Matteo repeated his mantra from last season's stunning upset of Barcelona ahead of Wednesday night's crunch 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 night. 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 ahead of last season's semi-final triumph over Barca that Chelsea needed to produce two ``perfect'' performances.

Their 1-0 home victory over the defending champions was one of several they pulled out of the fire at Stamford Bridge, where they also delivered crucial wins over Napoli, Benfica and Valencia.

They need another such display to regain control of Group E, which they are in real danger of failing to get out of.

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.''

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.

``For Chelsea, it's probably one of their last good chances to go through the group stage,'' Lucescu said.

``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.

``Chelsea are a very strong team but we are not the weakest.''


http://espnfc.com/en/preview/355690/preview.html?soccernet=true&cc=3888

1st to comment! Woooohooooo!!

Chelsea FC 3-1 Shakhtar Donetsk

KTBFFH!

A must win 4 Blues. I remain loyal till d end of time

Chelsea must win today oooooo! Today must be treated like a final.

Yes, a record would be set today by being the first defending champion of europe to be eliminated from the group stage. NO WAY FOR SEPE FC up Donetsk

afam4eva: Chelsea don enter soup. I don't see them escaping a lashing from Shakhtar Donetsk.

u no dey tire?

In RMD i trust. Chelsea mess them hard like uefalona.
Chelsea na niIn RMD i trust. Chelsea mess them hard like uefalona.
Chelsea na niIn RMD i trust. Chelsea mess them hard like uefalona.
Chelsea na ni

Whobedatte: Yes, a record would be set today by being the first defending champion of europe to be eliminated from the group stage. NO WAY FOR SEPE FC up Donetsk

HATERS!
Keef off.

afam4eva: Chelsea don enter soup. I don't see them escaping a lashing from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Abi o.

A difficult game. But Heroes are made by difficult.

Await and Chelsea 5-star performance tonight

afam4eva: Chelsea don enter soup. I don't see them escaping a lashing from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Nwanne keedi club ina awiri onodu? I think say you βξ chelsea fan sef

Odinaka00:

Nwanne keedi club ina awiri onodu? I think say you βξ chelsea fan sef

I don't drink chelsea. I support Enugu Rangers, Barca and Real Madrid.

afam4eva:
I don't drink chelsea. I support Enugu Rangers, Barca and Real Madrid.

So so fake...No one, i repeat, no one can support Real Madrid AND Barcelona at once. Do you know what your talking about? A rivalry that goes beyond football!

I'll just take you as a Enugu Rangers fan, which btw is ok

my freaking sperm is BLUE. Lets go there Joor

timbros:

So so fake...No one, i repeat, no one can support Real Madrid AND Barcelona at once. Do you know what your talking about? A rivalry that goes beyond football!

I'll just take you as a Enugu Rangers fan, which btw is ok

I used to be a hardcore Madrid fan during the days of Louis Figo and Zinedin Zidane. I now support Barca but still have a soft spot for Madrid though i support Barca when both teams are playing. But Enugu Rangers remains my number one team the world over.

Hope We win #teamBlue# YOLO

afam4eva:
I don't drink chelsea. I support Enugu Rangers, Barca and Real Madrid.

what kinda person support real madrid and barca at the same time?

This Time, No Mercy... WE r Sending a Message to Shakhtar Donetsk that they Can keep Their William... WE GOT #MAZACAR

BLUES till Goodluck Jonathan be the President of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

Today, the Blues have to dominate the guys from Ukraine. With a near full strength team, I'm expecting a better Chelsea performance than 2 weeks ago.

MAZACAR, Mikel and Torres, make una no fall pesin hand oh today. Anyway it will be Chelsea 2 - 0 Shakhtar.

Bimfo: This Time, No Mercy... WE r Sending a Message to Shakhtar Donetsk that they Can keep Their William... WE GOT #MAZACAR

BLUES till Goodluck Jonathan be the President of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

Lol

Red-Light:

what kinda person support real madrid and barca at the same time?

Afam bu Afam

afam4eva:
I don't drink chelsea. I support Enugu Rangers, Barca and Real Madrid.

Barca and real madrid? In that case I support enyimba, man utd and chelsea

Chelsick 1 - Shaktar 2

Red-Light:

what kinda person support real madrid and barca at the same time?

broda,
are u new here? u seem to be the only person here that does not know that thing(afam4ever) that u are talking to. that thing(afam4ever) confuse die so let it be.


@topic,
the only way to know the hard workers is when the work is hard. at least, chelsea does not depend on any ref to win matches.
we are the current european champions.

afam4eva:
Afam bu Afam

afam? is that a name of a soup?

CHELSEA 2 SHAKTAR 1

1025:
at least, chelsea does not depend on any ref to win matches.
we are the current european champions.

what sort of self-consolation is this? U're at the brink of being disgraced out from ucl at group stage. Cant u defend ur title, or at least, pretend to defend it? Keep on whining about refs.

Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain) will be tonight's Referee.