This was unquestionably one of Chelsea’s greatest nights in their club’s long and illustrious history. They have guaranteed their place in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, which takes place in Munich on May 19^th. Chelsea will be looking to avenge their 2008 Moscow misery when they come up against German giants, Bayern Munich who incidentally will be playing in their home stadium. It was made perfectly clear that Di Matteo was given the interim role as a stopgap until a more glamorous name fills the void. However the hard working attitude and self-belief that the Italian has instilled in this once lacklustre Chelsea side is remarkable. Chelsea are an aging side that needs renewing throughout, even the die-hard Chelsea fans would agree. AVB came to Stamford Bridge and attempted to shun the older generation in favour of youth and exuberance but ultimately failed as player power had the final say. Di Matteo is one of the most respected figures in the English game. His 6-year playing career with Chelsea included the then fastest ever FA Cup final goal in 1997, which saw him become one of the club’s legendary figures. Upon his return to the club as AVB’s assistant in June 2011, Chelsea fans were more than happy to see the old hero return in a coaching role. However few would have predicted the impact he would have on their club’s season. Although Villas-Boas was effectively pushed out of the club, credit must be given to him for having kept Chelsea alive in both the FA Cup and Champions league. But the difference in the attitude of the players in recent weeks has been astonishing. Having lost the away leg of the quarter final against a much-fancied Napoli side, Di Matteo resurrected the once dead and buried tie. Chelsea went on to overhaul the deficit and beat the Italian outfit 4-1 at ‘The Bridge’. This was undoubtedly the turning point of their season. Di Matteo has instilled a fighting spirit that the Chelsea of old were so renowned for.  There is a great sense that many of the older generation felt that they had become surplus to requirements and would be sold on in the summer transfer window. In many ways, Di Matteo is in a similar position. Deep down, he probably felt that, like many of his players, he is putting himself in the shop window for other clubs to come looking for him once the season is over.

Di Matteo is one victory away from surely sealing his fate as full time Chelsea manager (c) SportsEncounter

Di Matteo has reverted to the tried and tested Chelsea side, which worked so effectively under Mourinho. Admittedly he hasn’t exactly put his own stamp on the team by bringing in new personnel or changing the tactics but his man management skills are clearly second to none. Since bringing Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba back into the starting eleven, Chelsea have once again become a powerful side.  Drogba was a constant thorn in the Barcelona side and his goal in the first leg was absolutely crucial. At a time when Barcelona were threatening to break the Chelsea rear-guard, a lightning quick counter attack saw the Blues snatch a wonderful goal at not only a crucial time of the game but of the tie as a whole. It was no coincidence either that the two players (Lampard & Drogba) whom were central to this pivotal goal were players whom Di Matteo had brought back into the side. Lampard’s timely challenge in the middle of midfield and his subsequent exquisite vision to set the move flowing resulted in Drogba stabbing the ball home from close range. Extra Time poses the question that had Chelsea even managed to have made it to the semi finals under AVB, would he have started either of these two influential figures? I think the answer is an emphatic no. The Chelsea players are now playing full of confidence and perhaps more importantly, are playing with self-belief. Credit has to be given to Di Mateo’s influence over this Chelsea side. But is he the man to take Chelsea forward?

Avram Grant managed to guide Chelsea to the 2008 Champions League final but the defeat cost him his job. In fact, under Grant, Chelsea finished the season in second place of the Premiership, had reached the league cup and Champions league final but ultimately ended the season trophy-less. Di Matteo has not yet won anything with Chelsea but has a great opportunity to, with an upcoming FA Cup final with a misfiring Liverpool side and a Champions League final against Bayern. Should Di Matteo manage to do what no other Chelsea manager has done before, and win the Champions League, surely he will have earned the right to become the permanent manager. Although their league campaign has been rather disastrous, Chelsea could conceivably end the season as European and FA Cup Champions. Rewind two months ago and anyone that would have predicted this would have been taken away in a straight jacket. Another interesting factor of last night’s epic was the way in which Fernando Torres so brilliantly took his goal. The sheer confidence from a player who in truth has had a torrid season in front of goal was incredible. It was reminiscent of the Torres of old in the way that he so confidently rounded Valdes in the Barca goal and coolly slotted the ball home. As Torres was bearing down on goal, he had a lot of time to think about how he was going to finish this gilt edged opportunity, however you just knew he was going to make no mistake with it. The goal sent the Chelsea players, fans and bench into raptures. Di Matteo’s celebrations were not too dissimilar to that of a certain Jose Mourinho. Again, Extra Time feels that Di Matteo should be given credit for having the tactical nous in bringing on Torres to exploit the Barcelona defence in exactly that manner. Earlier in the season, we saw Torres round David De Gea at Old Trafford, only to smash the ball wide of the open goal. The confidence and belief that this goal will have given the Spaniard could be crucial for his career.

In his post match interview last night, Di Matteo heaped all of the worthy praise on to his players and deflected any praise that was coming his way. Although he is just one step away from becoming a European Champion, his elegance and soft-spoken nature has not deserted him. The next month will be absolutely crucial in Di Matteo’s time with Chelsea. Many feel that regardless of what he achieves, Abramovich will still seek a bigger household name to take over for next season. However, it is common knowledge that it is Champions League glory that the Russian so desperately craves and although he probably will not have expected an interim manager in the form of the Italian to bring it to the club, it will surely be worthy enough of being offered the job on a full time basis. Di Matteo’s managerial CV may not read as well as some of Europe’s older and more experienced managers but it is clear that he is more than capable of handling this Chelsea side. To have any hope of landing the job permanently, Di Matteo will almost certainly have to win the Champions League. Although FA Cup glory will be a fantastic achievement, it is not even on the same scale of Champions League success. Should he manage to land the job permanently and be given money to freshen up the side during the summer, Extra Time feels that Di Matteo could outlast many of the previous, more renowned managers that have fallen at the hands of Abramovich. Also, if Di Matteo can get Torres back to the form the world knows he is capable of, Chelsea can again become a formidable side that can challenge both domestically and in Europe. One cannot help but think this is Chelsea’s year. They have ridden their luck throughout the competition but are unquestionably worthy finalists. But Di Matteo and Chelsea have deserved their good fortune. Di Matteo stated that the club would make their decision when “the time is right” and come Saturday, May 19^th at approximately 10pm, the Italian’s fate will have been decided. Extra Time feels that the time is nigh for Di Matteo to announce himself on the world stage.