Chelsea duo reveal how Di Matteo inspired them before Champions League victory

Bayern Munich's Philip Lahm (second left) and Chelsea's Ryan Bertrand (centre) battle for the ball

Chelsea players have revealed that messages from their families gave them inspiration ahead of their Champions League final victory against Bayern Munich.

Interim head coach Roberto Di Matteo managed to convince his side’s loved ones to go on camera in order to motivate them ahead of the final and managed to keep it a secret from the group.

“The video messages were a surprise,” Bertrand said.

“We just got called into a meeting and there they were - for every single player.

“First, it was my mum and brother saying, ‘Well done and good luck to the whole team’, and then it went to all the rabble, all the family, which was a little bit embarrassing.

“There could have been some tears but there was a bit of laughter and banter and that really spurred us on. That was a brilliant touch.”

Di Matteo had one more surprise for the 22-year-old.

“He pulled me to one side and asked me who they all were,” Bertrand added.

“At the end of it, he said, ‘You’re starting tonight’.”

Matchwinner Didier Drogba, whose Champions League heartache paid tribute to the decision.

“The club really surprised us yesterday with those messages,” he said.

“The families, they’ve always been there - in Moscow (in 2008), against Barcelona (in 2009), when we lost those games.

“This win I want to dedicate to them - all our families - because they’ve been supporting and always believe in us.

“That’s their victory.”