'Chelsea can exploit Barcelona weaknesses' - Di Matteo

Posted Monday, April 16, 2012 by Goal.com

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo believes his side can expose Barcelona's weaknesses in their Champions League semi-final first-leg clash on Wednesday.

The Catalans are aiming for a second consecutive crown, their third in four years, and are favourites to progress against a side who have never won the trophy.

However, the Italian is bullish about the Blues' chances against the team who knocked them out in 2009 on their way to victory over Manchester United in Rome.

“You look at the way you can hurt Barcelona and create them difficulties. I've seen many games,” he said.

“They do have weaknesses. We just need to exploit them."

Di Matteo also highlighted his side's need to stop all of Barcelona's players, rather than just star man Lionel Messi.

"It's not just about stopping a single player, because obviously they have so many players that can hurt you,” he said.

"It has to be a team tactic, a team strategy, to be able to limit their threat."

And the caretaker boss is hoping his players can use the support of their fans as an inspiration at Stamford Bridge.

"The fans will be behind us, no doubt about it," he added.

"The fans have always been great at Stamford Bridge, they've always been very supportive to the team and I've absolutely no concerns about the fact that the fans will be cheering the team on."