JT: A CAPTAIN'S DESIRE

Not long after midnight in Moscow, John Terry could be climbing the steps inside the Luzhniki Stadium to lift the European Cup high into the Russian sky. There is no other inspiration necessary.

In the prelude to tonight's Champions League Final, the Chelsea captain has been allowed to sit just a few feet away from the trophy our former manager Ruud Gullit often called 'the cup with the big ears'. Supporters in Red Square have had a similar chance to come close to the famous silverware - but none have quite the chance to make history that Terry does.

'When you look at the trophy, that is enough,' says the skipper on his motivating forces.

'We have worked really hard for four or five years to do well in this competition and not got this far. We have come close. The disappointments have been hard to take over the years and finally we are here on the biggest stage in Europe.

'We want to make the most of it. This is certainly the biggest game I have been involved in up to this point, the atmosphere around it is awesome. I just want to get my hands on the trophy.'

Standing in the way is the familiar sight of the Barclays Premier League champions.

'I think this is a different ball game altogether than the league,' Terry insists. 'Man United were very good in that and deserved to win but this is a one-off game.

'Going forward we are very strong, we have a lot of midfielders who can bomb on, left and right backs who get forward and we are very fit.

'Hopefully we have a fully-fit team and we can play football against the best of sides, not just in the Premier League but also in Europe - but we can mix it as well, when it is the right time to put our bodies and tackles in.

'The pitch will be the same for both sides,' he added, the players awaking to a damp Moscow morning, 'and as long as we get our footwear right, I think we will be fine.

'Both teams have a lot of quality players. I don't think anyone is underdogs or favourites.'--source; chelseafc.com