RDM plays down Fergie mind-games

Roberto Di Matteo is ready to combat Sir Alex Ferguson's mind games with his own brand of covert psychology as he prepares for their first clash since he became Chelsea boss.

Di Matteo played down the significance of the public jousting with rival bosses, but revealed he would resort to fighting fire with fire if necessary as he prepared to pit his wits against the man he admitted was still the best in the business in Sunday's mouthwatering Barclays Premier League clash between the sides.

"If I need to, I will, but there is no need and sometimes it doesn't have to be publicly," said Di Matteo, who Blues winger Juan Mata revealed this week had proven a master of getting inside his own players' heads.

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