UEFA League: di Matteo Hails Chelsea Hero, Kalou
Chelsea's payers applaud their travelling fans after victory over
Benfica
BBC
Roberto di Matteo admitted he had taken a risk by starting with Chelsea goal hero, Salomon Kalou against Benfica.
Kalou earned his side a fine 1-0 advantage over the Portuguese team to take into the quarter-final second-leg at Stamford Bridge on April 4, reports the BBC.
The former Feyenoord player has struggled to cement a place in caretaker manager Di Matteo's plans.
"I didn't think it was a gamble, but sometimes in life you have to take a little risk," said the Italian.
"He's come into the team after a long spell out - he got the goal and had a great game."
Chelsea caretaker manager, Di Matteo raised eyebrows with his team selection before the game at the Estadio da Luz.
Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien were all left on the bench, while Raul Meireles and Paulo Ferreira, who was making his first start of 2012, all lined up.
But Di Matteo got his tactics spot on as a spirited Chelsea produced a determined performance to take a big step towards the semi-finals.
"With the fact we are playing all these games, it was important to select a team that had the energy for a high-tempo game," added Di Matteo, who hailed his players before warning that the job was only half done.
"It's terrific, you couldn't have hoped for a better result," said Di Matteo.
"To keep a clean sheet is great - defensively we looked very good. Before the game we [said we] wanted to score and we went close on a number of occasions.
"I'm very pleased for Paulo Ferreira. He came into the team after a long spell out and had a great game.
"For 90 minutes we had to run, challenge and win tackles. It was important that we selected a team that had the energy to be competitive.
"Defensively we never looked in any danger. They had some set plays but, apart from that, Petr [Cech] only had a few saves to make and they were mostly from long range."
But Di Matteo warned: "You know how football is - nothing is over, there is still another 90 minutes to play.
"We haven't qualified yet. It's dangerous to think we're through ... we've put ourselves in a good position, but it's not a result you can rely on for the home game."
It was not all good news for Chelsea, with goalkeeping coach Christophe Lochillon sent to the stands.
"I don't know exactly what the reason was. I was focused so much on the game," said Di Matteo.
It was the first loss in 11 European home games for Benfica.
"We were the best team for most of the game, we produced most of the chances," claimed Benfica coach Jorge Jesus.
"We're not out yet. We can still turn this around."
BBC
Roberto di Matteo admitted he had taken a risk by starting with Chelsea goal hero, Salomon Kalou against Benfica.
Kalou earned his side a fine 1-0 advantage over the Portuguese team to take into the quarter-final second-leg at Stamford Bridge on April 4, reports the BBC.
The former Feyenoord player has struggled to cement a place in caretaker manager Di Matteo's plans.
"I didn't think it was a gamble, but sometimes in life you have to take a little risk," said the Italian.
"He's come into the team after a long spell out - he got the goal and had a great game."
Chelsea caretaker manager, Di Matteo raised eyebrows with his team selection before the game at the Estadio da Luz.
Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien were all left on the bench, while Raul Meireles and Paulo Ferreira, who was making his first start of 2012, all lined up.
But Di Matteo got his tactics spot on as a spirited Chelsea produced a determined performance to take a big step towards the semi-finals.
"With the fact we are playing all these games, it was important to select a team that had the energy for a high-tempo game," added Di Matteo, who hailed his players before warning that the job was only half done.
"It's terrific, you couldn't have hoped for a better result," said Di Matteo.
"To keep a clean sheet is great - defensively we looked very good. Before the game we [said we] wanted to score and we went close on a number of occasions.
"I'm very pleased for Paulo Ferreira. He came into the team after a long spell out and had a great game.
"For 90 minutes we had to run, challenge and win tackles. It was important that we selected a team that had the energy to be competitive.
"Defensively we never looked in any danger. They had some set plays but, apart from that, Petr [Cech] only had a few saves to make and they were mostly from long range."
But Di Matteo warned: "You know how football is - nothing is over, there is still another 90 minutes to play.
"We haven't qualified yet. It's dangerous to think we're through ... we've put ourselves in a good position, but it's not a result you can rely on for the home game."
It was not all good news for Chelsea, with goalkeeping coach Christophe Lochillon sent to the stands.
"I don't know exactly what the reason was. I was focused so much on the game," said Di Matteo.
It was the first loss in 11 European home games for Benfica.
"We were the best team for most of the game, we produced most of the chances," claimed Benfica coach Jorge Jesus.
"We're not out yet. We can still turn this around."
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