Chelsea: What We Learned About Roberto Di Matteo in Champions League Semifinal

After pulling off some of the greatest victories in Chelsea history, it is time to give Roberto Di Matteo the full-time job.

Since taking over the job, Di Matteo has only lost once in 15 matches. His 10 wins have put Chelsea in the FA Cup final and the Champions League final, despite looking horrible in each of those competitions.

He revitalized the club, and he has the Blues playing great football. Yes, they still sit at sixth in the league, but if they win out, they have a very good chance of finishing in the top four.

On March 3, this season seemed lost. Since then, Di Matteo has put the club in great position to win at least one trophy this year, if not two. He has put them in a great position to win, and the players have responded.

Andre Villas-Boas had a plan to be successful at Chelsea, but he didn't have the players necessary. As a result, he admitted that he would be looking for new players in the transfer window, which (obviously) alienated the players that would be on the way out.

In doing so, Villas-Boas lost his dressing room. The players did not respond to him, and his tactics didn't fit their strengths. Consequently, Chelsea were in some trouble.

When Di Matteo came in, he started putting players in situations where they could succeed. He trusted them, and they responded.

Against Barcelona, Di Matteo didn't even think twice before dropping John Obi Mikel to centre back once John Terry was red carded. He, along with Branislav Ivanovic, played relatively well holding down the backline with no other defenders eligible to play.

Even without defenders, Di Matteo committed to parking the bus. Every Chelsea player's average position was behind midfield; meanwhile, eight of Barcelona's 10 field players' average position was across the midfield line.

Chelsea camped out, and it worked out.

After the game, Di Matteo wasn't even taking credit for the tactics.

"The second half wasn't so much about tactics as passion, pride and desire to get to the final," he said, according to UEFA.com.

That's what Di Matteo is all about: passion for Chelsea.

He brings it, and he expects his players to bring it as well. On Tuesday, they all brought it, and the Blues showed what they can accomplish.

In the Champions League semifinal, Di Matteo proved that he gets his players to respond to him; he draws up winning tactics; and he has a passion for the job.

That's what he showed the Chelsea faithful. That's what they love.

That's why he deserves the full-time job.