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Cape Town - Chelsea captain John Terry admits he was relieved to have racked up their first victory of the new Champions League campaign after edging Sporting Lisbon in Group G on Tuesday.
The Blues had kicked off the new European Cup season with an uninspiring 1-1 draw against Schalke 04, but Nemanja Matic's first-half header eventually proved the difference at Estadio Jose Alvalade this week to hand the English giants the points.
Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio had also put on an inspired display between the sticks to keep the deficit to just one, and in the end, Terry admitted he was just glad to have gotten the win.
"They're a good side but it's been about 10 years since they've been in the Champions League so it was a big night for them,” he told Sky Sports.
"We had so many chances, it was one of those nights where it just didn't go in, but thankfully 'Mati' came up with a good header.
"We lost our first game last year and came back to win the group - so that was in our minds; that we had to win."
Terry's inclusion also marked his 100th appearance in the Champions League, becoming only the 22nd player to achieve that feat, and the defender admits he is hugely honoured to have joined such an elite club.
He said: "I'm very proud, there's not too many players to achieve that."
The Blues had kicked off the new European Cup season with an uninspiring 1-1 draw against Schalke 04, but Nemanja Matic's first-half header eventually proved the difference at Estadio Jose Alvalade this week to hand the English giants the points.
Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio had also put on an inspired display between the sticks to keep the deficit to just one, and in the end, Terry admitted he was just glad to have gotten the win.
"They're a good side but it's been about 10 years since they've been in the Champions League so it was a big night for them,” he told Sky Sports.
"We had so many chances, it was one of those nights where it just didn't go in, but thankfully 'Mati' came up with a good header.
"We lost our first game last year and came back to win the group - so that was in our minds; that we had to win."
Terry's inclusion also marked his 100th appearance in the Champions League, becoming only the 22nd player to achieve that feat, and the defender admits he is hugely honoured to have joined such an elite club.
He said: "I'm very proud, there's not too many players to achieve that."
