Di Matteo in defiant mood over his Blues following Lampard remarks

The weekend saw Lampard use the club’s in-house television channel to deliver a withering assessment of the Blues’ season, which finds them in real danger of failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Caretaker manager Di Matteo admitted Chelsea – who are five points adrift of the Barclays Premier League top four – had endured a “difficult” campaign.

Yet, speaking ahead of tonight’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Benfica – and with Chelsea England’s sole remaining European representative – the Italian added: “Everybody seems to have an opinion, and they have that right, but I disagree.

“I believe in my team, my squad, my players. I don’t think we’re a weak team, not at all.

“We have, still, many games to play in the Premier League to reach fourth, and two games in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

“It looked a little gloomier two weeks ago, so we’re pleased to be here.

“If we had a few more points in the Premier League, we wouldn’t be talking like this.

“It’s a very fine line between success and failure. This team has all the ability to play a very good game tomorrow night and show the qualities these players have.”

Chelsea have not finished outside the top four since Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.

Di Matteo said: “Chelsea used to be in the top two or top three, at least. So it’s been hard for us, domestically.

“But we’re in the semi-finals of a domestic cup, and in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.”

Di Matteo refused to shy away from the fact Chelsea were in danger of their worst league finish for a decade.

“The numbers say that, so there is no point in denying it’s been a difficult season,” he said.

“But we have quality in this team and many good players. I still think this Chelsea team is a very good team.”