Petr Cech remains confident we can overturn a 1-0 deficit against Steaua Bucharest at Stamford Bridge next week and secure our place in the Europa League quarter-finals.
The Blues were beaten in the National Arena thanks to a first-half penalty from Raul Rusescu, and while Yossi Benayoun, Eden Hazard and Marko Marin all went close to salvaging a draw, we were unable to score a crucial away goal.
‘It’s only 1-0,’ said the Blues goalkeeper. ‘Obviously we know it’s not the best result to get away from home in Europe when you play two legs and away goals count.
‘We had better chances than them, I hardly had to make a save in the whole game, but they had a penalty which they scored from and they won.
‘It’s a game to look forward to. You can easily overturn a 1-0 if you play well and score goals.’
The home side saw plenty of the ball, particularly in the first half, but aside from the goal they rarely threatened.
The penalty award appeared slightly harsh on Ryan Bertrand, who was adjudged to have pulled Rusescu to the ground, but Cech believes we need to be more clinical in the return leg if we are to progress in the tournament.
‘I just saw Ryan running with the guy and then he was on the floor,’ he explained. ‘Whether it was a penalty or not, the referee gave it.
‘We had some chances but couldn’t score. Yossi had one in the first half and in the second half we had some shots that were blocked.
‘They had two shots, which weren’t really dangerous, as well as the penalty. We were more dangerous but we didn’t score and that made the difference in the end.’
You can hear more reaction from Cech via the club’s online access.
Tickets for next week’s home leg are now on sale to season ticket holders, members and anybody with a previous booking history. Tickets can be purchased from the Stamford Bridge box office, online or via the call centre on 0871 984 1905.