Di Matteo accepts blame for Chelsea loss

Manager Roberto Di Matteo shouldered the blame for Chelsea’s Champions League defeat in Turin.

The Blues’ 3-0 loss against Juventus extended their poor recent run and means they face the prospect of becoming the first defending champions to fail to reach the knockout stage of the tournament.

With Daniel Sturridge unavailable, Di Matteo opted to drop the struggling Fernando Torres and play without a recognised striker.

It did not have the desired effect, while once again Chelsea looked vulnerable at the other end of the pitch.

“I didn’t want to give the [Juventus] centre-backs a point of reference and wanted to have Eden Hazard, Oscar and Juan Mata interchanging positions and trying to find space,” said the Italian.

“I selected a team I was convinced was the right one to win or get at least get a draw, so the blame belongs to me.

“I’m responsible for this result and for the performance. If anyone has to take the blame, it’s me.”

The result will increase speculation about Di Matteo’s future, with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich widely reported to be keen on former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola.

“I’ll keep working. At the moment I am here and I think I will be for the future,” Di Matteo added.

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