Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has dismissed suggestions that his side were undeserving of their Champions League success last season.
The Blues were crowned kings of Europe for the first time in their history when they beat Bayern Munich on penalty kicks in May.
That win followed narrow knock-out victories over Napoli, Benfica and Barcelona.
Many have branded Chelsea's achievement as lucky, however Di Matteo believes that good fortune was merely a minor factor.
He said: "They said the same about many other managers when they won. You need to deserve everything you get.
"And I think we worked very hard for it. We prepared ourselves very well against our opposition. It can't just be [luck].
"You might need, and you will need, a portion of luck during a competition like this. But every team has it to be able to achieve the final target to win it. That's a minor part of it."
Chelsea begin the defence of their title when they host Italian champions Juventus tomorrow night.
Robert Summerscales
