Di Matteo rejects 'lucky' tag

Roberto di Matteo has dismissed claims Chelsea were 'lucky' to win the UEFA Champions League last season.

The Blues host Italian champions Juventus on Wednesday night in the opening match of this season's competition.

And the Italian admits he is irritated by suggestions from pundits - including Sky Sports' Graeme Souness - that they were fortunate to claim the trophy.

Liverpool legend Souness said: "Nobody in the history of football has ever had that much luck."

Final target

Blues boss Di Matteo said: "They said the same about many other managers when they won. You need to deserve everything you get.

"And I think we worked very hard for it. We prepared ourselves very well against our opposition. It can't just be that [luck].

"You might need, and you will need, a portion of luck during a competition like this.

"But every team has it to be able to achieve the final target to win it. That's a minor part of it."

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