Confidence has been the key to Chelsea’s Champions League campaign according to Kai Havertz, our young attacker who is hoping to fulfil a childhood dream by lifting the trophy in Porto on Saturday.
The Blues were around eighth favourites with the bookmakers to win the competition before the knockout stages began in February, but a series of impressive two-legged showings have ensured we got the better of Atletico Madrid, Porto and Real Madrid since then.
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‘We’ve picked up a lot of self-belief over the last few months from our good results and how we’ve played,’ Havertz noted as he assessed our progress.
‘Self-belief is generally very important in football and ours has improved a lot, so it’s made a difference.
‘Porto and Atletico were difficult to play against because of their defensive strengths,’ added Kai.
‘They set themselves up in their own halves and wait for you to make a mistake. For me, those were the most difficult games.
‘My favourite game would be the second leg against Real Madrid when we reached the final. That was good. There’s been a few good games, but for me the highlight would have to be the game against Real.’
That choice will be usurped if Chelsea are victorious against Manchester City on Saturday. The bookmakers may have the English champions down as the favourites, but if our European history has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected.
‘It’s about giving your all in the game, having fun, and hopefully winning,’ said Havertz.
‘Being in the tunnel, walking out, hearing the anthem, and then giving your all for over 90 minutes…it’s a childhood dream which has been reached but not yet fulfilled.
‘We still need to win and we’ll do everything we can to do just that.’
