James 5,322 Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Roberto Di MatteoDi Matteo made an impressive start to his Chelsea career, scoring the winner against Middlesbroughon his home debut. His passing ability and accurate long-distanceshooting saw him become one of the driving forces of Chelsea'sresurgence in the late 1990s. He contributed nine goals in his firstseason, including long-range efforts against both Tottenham andWimbledon. He helped the club finish 6th in the league, their highestplacing since 1989-90, and reach the FA Cup finalat Wembley. Within 43 seconds of the kick-off, Di Matteo scored from 30yards, the fastest ever goal in a Wembley cup final, to set Chelsea ontheir way to a 2-0 win.The following season he again proved his worth to the team, chippingin with ten goals and numerous assists, as Chelsea went on to claim theLeague Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup,their first European honour since 1971. In the League Cup final, againagainst Middlesbrough, Di Matteo scored the 2nd goal in a 2-0 win.Season 1998-99 turned out to be a special season for Chelsea as they went on an unbeaten run of over 20 games to finish third in the Premier League and qualify for the Champions League. Di Matteo played a pivotal role in midfield next to Gustavo Poyet, Dennis Wise and Dan Petrescu and scored some memorable goals, among them a strike against Coventry in the dying seconds of the game.During the 1999-00season he was hampered by injury but returned late in the season toscore a handful of crucial goals, including his third Cup-winning goalat Wembley, once again in the FA Cup. In a dour match, Di Matteocapitalised on an error by Aston Villa goalkeeper David Jamesto score the winner in the 71st minute, handing Chelsea their fourthmajor trophy in three years. This lead Di Matteo to comment on the oldWembley Stadium saying "It's a shame they're tearing the old place down- it has been a very lucky ground for me".Early into the 2000-01 season, Di Matteo sustained a triple leg fracture in a UEFA Cup tie against Swiss side FC St. Gallenand spent the next eighteen months on the sidelines. He eventually gaveup on his comeback and retired in February 2002 at the age of 31. In his six years at Chelsea, he made 175 appearances and scored 26 goals.--------Shame he got injured when he did, was a class player in his time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt 0 Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Fantastic player, his passing and shooting was nearly always accurate and simple. He will be remembered for his fantastic talent for whatever club. Ti Amo MATTEO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KENT_BLUE 1 Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 he was superb liked him v much,will remember his fa cup goal for all my life it was great,he was class end ovkent_blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky10 5 Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Good player loved is goal against Midelsbrough in the final Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 60 Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 obviously remembered for THAT fa cup final goal, but was a great player for us and scored some brilliant goals (yids away, arse at home in the worthington/coca cola cup semi final) shame his Chelsea career was ending in the way it did Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon 18 Posted May 3, 2008 Share Posted May 3, 2008 DI Matteo is the reason I'm a Chelsea supporter. I'd never been a big fan of football, but one late night I saw the replay of the 1997 FA Cup final from earlier that day and when he scored that goal... I was hooked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulham Broadway 17,313 Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 About to become Baggies new boss if reports are believed. Could be a stepping stone to return to SW 6 in some capacity......? Kieran. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kez 2,727 Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Will be a good move for him, would love to see him back at Chelsea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the wes 7,212 Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 MK Dons boss Roberto Di Matteo is set to be confirmed as West Bromwich Albion's new manager within the next 48 hours, BBC Sport understands. The Albion board approached Di Matteo late on Monday with a view to making him Tony Mowbray's successor. Preston manager Alan Irvine was also on a shortlist of two but rejected the chance to move, after being given permission to speak to West Brom. Di Matteo took the Dons to the League One play-offs in his first season. The Italian signed a contract extension with MK Dons in December which was to tie him to the League One club until June 2011. The Baggies have been without a manager since Mowbray left the Championship club for Scottish Premier League giants Celtic on 17 June.well done di matteo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zolayes 14,489 Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 team for the future ,,, roberto ... zola ...steve clarke ....guus (not Poyet) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Term-X 7,891 Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 hopefully he will make a success of it, love to see him as Chelsea manager at some point. Kieran. and xPetrCechx 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zolayes 14,489 Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 making his way back to the bridge????/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott 7 Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Why would he be doing that? He's manager of West Brom now ain't he? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domino- 116 Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Welcome home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swedish House Mafia 508 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 The Roberto Di Matteo Thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldo 868 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Imo we won't do well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petr.breu 1,618 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Honestly, I don't believe in him... But I would be happy if he'll be successful... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kieran. 6,317 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 I'm almost certain we won't finish in the top 4 now.Maybe we can win the FA Cup.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Changingman_2000 876 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Whatever happens, he will always be my top man! 15 years ago this year.........................time flies.Wasn't as good a day as the Zenith Data final in 90' though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubber bullets 1,183 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 My fear is that in order to stop the players turning against him he will just play 4-3-3 with Terry, Cole Lampard, Malouda and Drogba as the core, no matter how bad they play. But yet if they then decide to play well (which would make them even more disgraceful) and get a 4th spot, then when the next manager comes in we don't have an overhaul AGAIN, and we keep the same players, who will let us ddown again. Its like a never ending circus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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