Liam Rosenior's side went into our final match of the league phase already guaranteed a spot in the knockout stage play-offs, but a good result in Italy would almost certainly secure a top-eight place and progression directly to the Round of 16.

That is exactly what the Blues achieved, as thanks to a brilliant second-half brace by Joao Pedro, we fought back from 2-1 down at half-time to triumph 3-2 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Cucurella felt the win was no less than Chelsea deserved in Naples, but highlighted the changes made by Rosenior, both on and off the ball, as being vital to changing the game.

‘We feel very good, very happy,’ our Spanish defender said. ‘I think in general we deserved this win. I think we controlled the game very well.

‘It’s true that at the end of the first half we struggled a little bit, but I think we used the ball probably too fast.

‘We adjusted at half-time, made some changes, and then the second half was brilliant. We controlled the game, we created chances, and we won the game.

‘The manager said that we need a little bit to control the ball, make three passes every time we win the ball back, and then we adjusted as well a little bit the pressure, because in the first half they found themselves a lot of times one-v-one with Wes [Fofana].

‘So we adjusted a little bit, but in general I think the game was very good. We did a great effort and we deserved this win.’

In addition to the tactical tweaks made at the half-time break, Cucurella also highlighted Joao Pedro’s first goal as a crucial moment in the contest – the Brazilian brought the score to 2-2 just after the hour mark with a powerful strike from distance.

‘The second goal especially gave a lot of confidence to us,' said Cucurella. 'It’s a goal that equalised the game and we thought that with what we were doing we were going to win the game.

‘We knew that if we continued to control the game, making passes, having long possession, we could have more chances, and we did.’

In addition to booking our place in the Round of 16, the Blues made it five wins from our last six games as momentum builds under Rosenior.

There are further big tests to come, though, with two London derbies in quick succession; we host West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday and then travel to Arsenal for the second leg of our Carabao Cup semi-final next Tuesday.

‘We are very happy,’ added Cucurella. ‘This club always deserves to be in the best competitions. This club means winning trophies, and we are in a good run.

‘I think to continue, we need to improve things as well, but in general, we are very happy. We want to continue improving and on the weekend we have another game.’