Didier Drogba Confident Chelsea Can End Wait For Champions League Next Season

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba says the club's latest Champions League heartbreak is hard to stomach, but is confident the Blues can get their hands on the trophy next season.

Their quest for the holy grail ended in defeat again on Wednesday, this time at the hands of Inter Milan, managed by former boss Jose Mourinho.

Samuel Eto'o struck 11 minutes from time to give the Nerazzurri a 3-1 aggregate win.

"It's difficult because every season we start and we have a lot of belief, then to go out like this is difficult," said Drogba, reports Press Association Sport.

"I'm going to try to make it better. All have been unhappy endings so I hope next season will be mine."

The pain was particularly acute for Drogba, who was sent off once again as Chelsea crashed out. In 2008, he was dismissed in the final against Manchester United after slapping Nemaja Vidic, and last season he was handed a four-match ban for his conduct in the aftermath of the aggregate defeat to Barcelona.

The Ivorian reaffirmed his commitment to the club and expects the majority of the current squad to remain at Stamford Bridge for another assault on Europe's premier club competition.

He said: "The only thing I can say is that even if we won, I'm really happy here and most of the players here are really happy and we want to stay here and continue the adventure.

"It will mean a lot to win together next season because we have been trying hard for such a long time. I hope there is more from this team. Every season is different and I hope that next season will be different for us in the Champions League."

Meanwhile midfielder Michael Ballack was frank in his assessment of the Blues' performance on Wednesday.

The Germany international said: "To play against this team, they were defensively so strong and in every duel they were unbelievable, clever and hard.

"Normally you find an answer because we are also a physical team but we were not good on the night and were disappointed."

Although Carlo Ancelotti's side failed to perform on the night, Ballack thinks the team shouldn't be judged solely on that performance.

"You can't take this second half or match for [assessing] the development of this team over a whole year. I don't think the team looks poor generally."

On the possibility of a new contract, the 33-year-old is confident he will pen fresh terms.

"It's the situation and always you can make a decision. We will find a way.

"I've played for 11 or 12 years every year in the Champions League, why should I give up?

"I want to win this competition once and want to play as long as I can at the highest level and Chelsea is a club that plays at the highest level - but Inter was a bad day for us.

"There is always a first time, the first time has to come and then maybe it is easier. But you have to fight for this first time."