Chelsea defender Thiago Silva says they can be proud of victory over Champions League opponents Rennes.

Thiago Silva faced them as a Chelsea player for the first time on Wednesday night. Although the margin of victory was emphatic, the Brazilian defender acknowledged a major moment before half-time was decisive.

"Rennes are a good team, I told that to my team-mates in the dressing room before the game," Thiago Silva told the club's website.

"I have played a lot against this team. Two seasons ago they beat Paris in the final of the French Cup, I was injured but I saw a team who played very well with the ball. They are very well organised and have a coach who likes technical football.

"At the beginning it was very difficult for us. We didn't keep the ball as well as we normally do at home.

"The red card changed the game a lot. Fortunately for us, and unfortunately for the contest, the red card made it difficult for them, but we deserved the victory. It wasn't a super match but we controlled it. Now we need to continue to work to keep progressing."