The team return to training today following the knock-back in Rome and the words of their captain will be taken on board.

John Terry followed Felipe Scolari on Tuesday night in highlighting areas of the performance that fell short during the 3-1 defeat and speaking to Chelsea TV, he disagreed with the many suggestions that the display was good before Roma's opening goal.

'We didn't start well and gave Roma a lift,' Terry insisted. 'We had plenty of possession but we didn't really go anywhere.

'Roma's line-up wasn't very attacking and things have been difficult for them at home with their fans and the pressure was on them and their manager.

'They hadn't won for two months and we gave them the perfect start by not getting out of first gear. It gave them the confidence they needed.'

Although the scorer of the 33rd minute first goal, Christian Panucci, has a good record of such strikes, Terry admitted something went very wrong with the Chelsea defending.

'Four of us were there including Big Pete [Cech] and we didn't deal with the ball. We needed to stay with the runners. After that myself and Alex were pushing on and trying to come back and the team was all over the place.

'Roma were going to sit back and make it difficult and frustrate us which they did and they got a good second goal. After that we really needed to kick on and it opened up for them; they got their third.

'Even after that we showed no sign of the fight and determination that over the last few years has got us to where we've been.'

Terry described that last observation as the most disappointing aspect of the night.

'Apologies to the fans, it was a great turnout and sorry for the result,' he added.

'We have been playing some really good football with brilliant movement of late but that has been collectively, as a team, and that is why we have been walking around teams and scoring goals.

'We didn't have any of that this time. We thought we could beat Roma as individuals and we could never do that.

'The result is maybe a kick up the backside that we needed. Maybe we need to realise we are not the best side that we thought we are.'