AT the finale of an extraordinary English football season, John Terry explained last night why there are not one but two intensely personal campaigns for redemption and closure being played out.
John Terry would love to add another Champions League winners medal to his collection[STUART ROBINSON]Terry's defiant, determined eloquence at Stamford Bridge last night proved that his quest for victory in a Champions League final is Chelsea's equivalent of the emotional crusade being carried out by Steven Gerrard in Liverpool's attempt to win the league title.
The big hollow at the heart of Terry's pugnaciously successful career exists because he has been defeated in one European Cup final in 2008 and made to watch at another through suspension when Chelsea finally landed their Holy Grail in 2012.
As Atletico Madrid come to London for tonight's semi-final second leg, Chelsea skipper Terry has made an unexpected recovery from the ankle injury which forced him off the pitch 15 minutes from the finish of the resolute goalless draw in Spain last week.
It is considered such a critical boost for his team, that the manager, Jose Mourinho, grinned as he confirmed that Terry is fit to start while also serving up a eulogy about his captain which hailed him as a finer player now than he was when the Portuguese Prince was here in the dug-out first time around.
For his part, Terry delivered one of those calls to arms which are filled both with combativeness and a more heightened sense of the epic nature of the game than many appreciate he possesses.
"I did think that the Moscow final against Manchester United six years ago was my last chance in the Champions League, if I'm honest," Terry said.
"Then the opportunity came about again and I ended up missing it. But I was just happy in Munich in 2012 that the players and fans got what they deserved, and we got our hands on the trophy.
The Blues skipper admits the Moscow final made him determined to win the competition [GETTY]So reaching another final would, in itself, be another great achievement
"Football doesn't owe me anything. But those winning moments live with you, particularly when you're in a difficult period personally and professionally. Those memories tend to spur you on.
"It did mean a lot to me that night in Munich, playing or not playing. I felt I contributed throughout that campaign.
"I'd had surgery on my knee before the Napoli game in the last 16 and came back really quickly, scored a goal and played a big part.
"I did have a big part to play in the dressing room and on the field as well."
"Now we're back here again with another chance. It seems to be that year after year that the desire within the squad here is exceptional. Look at the long-serving players like Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard.
"It means the world to us all. When the new players come in, it's important they that resolve and determination. It comes from the manager and from the players and from what we demand from ourselves on a daily basis.
"So reaching another final would, in itself, be another great achievement."
Terry knows Atletico Madrid will prove to be tough opponents this evening [GETTY]There are no arrogant assumptions here, though, Atletico are a team moulded in Chelsea's tough and unflinching image.
It is why this seems a night particularaly made for 33—year-old Terry's enduring qualities. His recovery when he feared he might be out for weeks is testament to that.
He smiled knowingly when he recalled the "stick," he took for putting on a Chelsea kit and joining in the post-match celebrations in Germany.
He will never be a popular national figure like Gerrard but their joint quests are similar. Each is chasing the one big achievement missing from their glittering collections of club triumphs. It is plain that he doesn't regret one second of that celebratory performance in Munich, however - just as he was equally forceful in re-iterating last night his determination to remain in exile from the England team.
Terry, who has lost in thre Champions League semi-finals added: ""We've been in this position before, but that doesn't make us any less determined to get to the final.
"A lot of people in football ruled me out a bit last year, thinking I wouldn't be here for too much longer. That spurs you on to do well and battle for the club you love. Whether that's a year, two years, three years, I feel I have something to give next year. Beyond that, we don't know. But I hope so."
That statement answered a question about the possible renewal of his contract, which expires in June. It is important, he said. But it can wait. As Mourinho said, Terry has unfinished business with the Champions League and a mission to Lisbon to tackle first.
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