Čech resolved to exorcise Moscow demons

'Bigger motivation'
In the early hours of a rain-sodden Moscow morning, the Czech goalkeeper saw team-mates John Terry and Nicolas Anelka fail to convert spot-kicks in a nerve-jangling shoot-out to hand United victory. "You still think about it, but the main thing is that I think it gave us a lot of motivation for this campaign," Čech told uefa.com ahead of his side's second Group A match against CFR 1907 Cluj on Wednesday. "For this campaign, the motivation is even bigger. We know how painful it is to lose the final. The last thing you want to do is experience the same disappointment, and I think this is something which could drive us forward."

Spectacular entrance
Čech was between the posts for the Blues' 4-0 thrashing of FC Girondins de Bordeaux on Matchday 1, as last term's runners-up made a spectacular entrance into this season's competition. The 26-year-old was a virtual spectator at Stamford Bridge as the visitors failed to register a shot on target, though he was much busier on the road to Moscow, with his sure-handed displays earning him the UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year award. However, he insists the secret of his success lies as much in his verbal skills as his shot-stopping. "If you play at the level of the Premier League or the [UEFA] Champions League, where the teams are equal, it really comes down to communication in defence," explained the former AC Sparta Praha custodian. "If your defence is always organised, half your job is done, then you only need to concentrate on what comes through."

No mental scars
While that formula promises to bring Čech and Chelsea future honours, his ambition of more silverware to add to the two Premier League winners' medals he possesses could have been brutally ended in October 2006. A collision with Reading FC's Stephen Hunt left Čech with a fractured skull, and though he made a full recovery, the specially-adapted rugby cap he now sports is testimony to the serious nature of the injury. However, the ex-Stade Rennais FC man asserts that the incident has left only physical scars. "What happened, happened, and injuries do happen in football unfortunately," said the Czech Republic No1. "The good thing is that I'm wearing the helmet only for medical reasons, to protect my skull, not because I feel more confident with it on. That's the most important thing, because I know that I wouldn't be afraid without it, and it's crucial I know I have no fear."

To watch a part of this interview in the uefa.com Magazine, please click here.