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London's Chelsea strategist Roberto Di Matteo took the blame for a devastating 0-3 defeat in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League match against Turin's Juventus.
This failure means that in the last round, the English team not only has to beat "Nordsjaelland" at home, but also hope that "Juventus" will defeat Donetsk's "Shakhtar" away, although in the last match a draw would be enough for both teams. Otherwise, "Chelsea" will become the first defending champion of the Champions League to be eliminated after the group stage.
"If there's anyone to blame, it's only me. I chose the lineup believing that it would secure a victory or at least a draw," said Di Matteo. "But we still have hope. Mathematically, the chances are not lost."
After last season's triumph, Di Matteo signed a two-year contract, but problems in the Champions League and in the English championship, where the team is four points behind the leaders, have sparked rumors in the media about possible changes in the coaching position.
"Of course, in such a club, after a few bad matches, pressure increases, and people start to question everything," said the Italian. "But we all fight together and have achieved a lot to be here. I don't need statements of support from the leaders - they showed their attitude by signing a contract last summer."
