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Chelsea desire the difference for Di Matteo

Roberto Di Matteo believed "heart and passion" earned Chelsea FC a first UEFA Champions League title as Jupp Heynckes rued FC Bayern München's inability to make their chances count.

Chelsea desire the difference for Di Matteo
Chelsea desire the difference for Di Matteo ©UEFA.com

Jupp Heynckes, Bayern coach
My team played an outstanding match against opponents who played the way we expected and the way they'd played for the last few Champions League matches. We must blame ourselves for having so many opportunities without profiting. When you score in the 83rd minute you need to keep that lead; then we had a penalty in extra time. Penalties are a lottery, we know that from history.

Chelsea were the lucky team today; they played the way they know best and I'd like to congratulate them on their performance. They put on a real fight, defensively they were very well organised and in the shoot-out they had the luck to win the Champions League. It's a very bitter defeat. We can't blame Chelsea for playing their game; when you have so many opportunities you have to take advantage of them. We didn't do that today and that's why we lost.

These players had a huge fantasy about winning the Champions League here in Munich and then you have such a renowned, experienced player [Bastian Schweinsteiger] missing a penalty – that's something you have to cope with. Bastian was instrumental in getting us to the final and he'll take some time to get over it, but that's football and you have to learn to cope with that.

I said it would be something else to play in your own stadium, where you know everything and feel at home. The team played like we were at home, look at the statistics – we were better in every respect. The players delivered an outstanding performance and were not rewarded. But it wasn't an injustice – we should have scored more goals and kept a clean sheet after we scored, then we would have won the cup. Instead all we can do is congratulate Chelsea.

Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea interim manager
Football, and life, is sometimes unpredictable and crazy. I don't think anyone could have predicted this. We've had a difficult season and to finish off like this is incredible. I'm very happy for the players, they've worked so hard for this for so long.

Obviously when Bayern scored there wasn't much time for us but the heart and passion these players have shown in this competition has been immense. To equalise and get into extra time was a good feeling. Our preparation was very difficult with the suspended players and two defenders out for three or four weeks so it wasn't an ideal situation for a Champions League final but the desire and motivation of the players has shown again tonight.

[Didier Drogba] has been a fantastic servant for this club over eight years and brought a lot of success but we focus on the group and it was a great effort from all the players tonight. Ashley Cole was immense, also Frank Lampard and Petr Čech – to be able to pull off this victory took a big team effort.

I don't know what the future holds but we are very happy to have made history for the club. It's the first time we've won this competition and it's been very difficult. The club was very close four years ago and I think the players thought they would reach the final again. It's a difficult competition to win and you have to take your chances when they come along.

Penalties are always a bit of a lottery. Bayern played very well tonight, they're a very good team – that's why they were in the final and why they’ve won this competition so many times. I know how Bayern must feel because losing on penalties is always very harsh.

This makes a huge difference for the future of our club. We always said it was crucial to be involved in the Champions League. Winning tonight qualifies us for next season's competition so it's a double whammy in a positive sense.

I'm going on holidays after this because I need one desperately – it's been a challenging three months. I've been happy with the role I've been given and whatever the future holds, I'll accept. It's not important. Whatever the club decides we respect; it's as simple as that. I've just tried to work with the players tactically, mentally and physically and prepare them to the best of my knowledge. It's brought us results and that's what matters most. Players, staff and supporters, we're all very happy tonight – it's a historic night for our football club.