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Saturday, April 28, 2012

DI MATTEO: TOUGH DECISIONS

With an interest in three competitions and two games a week heading into May, the need for squad rotation at Stamford Bridge has rarely been more apparent. Roberto Di Matteo appears to have mastered the art of utilising the group effectively in recent weeks, but the Italian has spoken of the difficulties he faces when leaving players out.
Virtually every member of the playing squad has been involved at one point or another over the course of the past few weeks, and last week's goalless draw at Arsenal saw the interim first team coach make eight changes to personnel.
'It's difficult to leave players out, we have some very good players at this club and unfortunately you have to leave some of them out,' he admitted. 'It's hard when you speak to them and they're not involved or they have to start from the bench.
'Unfortunately, that's part of the job and we just have to get on with it, they just have to be ready for when they're picked. With all the games we've played, most of them have had a fair opportunity.'
Our midweek triumph over Barcelona, somewhat inevitably, has led to calls for Di Matteo to be offered the role on a permanent basis.
His record since taking over is impressive, and while Pep Guardiola has announced he will be stepping down at the Camp Nou at the culmination of this campaign, citing exhaustion as one of the main reasons for his decision, Di Matteo who is much earlier in his time in charge of a Champions League club is simply taking it one step at a time.
'I'm relaxed about it, I'll try my best until the end of the season and try to guide these players to some success,' he said. 'I always have belief in myself but the players have done extremely well to be in this position. We were in a difficult moment for this club, we're still not out of it but we've given ourselves the best chance.
'We love the challenges we have ahead of us, you'd rather play in those finals than not play. When I decided to become a number two, I didn't look at it as a step backwards, I thought it was an exciting journey for myself, the chance to work with one of the best coaches in European football and to work for this club, which is in my heart and which I have a legacy with.
'Guardiola is a role model for our generation in terms of the success he's achieved in such a short space of time, in terms of his methods as well for making his team play the way he does. He's his own man and he's made a decision based on what is best for him so we have to respect that. Sooner or later he'll be back working again.'
In terms of tomorrow's west London derby, Di Matteo will be looking forward to pitting his wits against a man he played alongside at Stamford Bridge in what was one of the most successful periods in the club's history.
Mark Hughes was something of a fans' favourite after signing for the club in 1995, before going on to play an instrumental role in our FA Cup success in 1997 as well as our European Cup Winners' Cup triumph a year later.
The Blues were beaten 1-0 at Loftus Road back in October in an ill-tempered clash which saw both Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba dismissed during the first half, but Di Matteo believes his players will be focusing solely on securing three points as we look to apply the pressure on both Newcastle and Tottenham in the race to finish in the top four.
'We played together, we were teammates and won a couple of trophies,' he said. 'I expect an aggressive game, a defensive game, because the majority of teams who come to Stamford Bridge play very defensively, so that's what I expect from QPR.
'I always talk to my players and I will make sure that they are focused on the game rather than everything that surrounds it. We'll have to go full blast while we can still finish in the top four.'

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