Keith Andrews has opened up on a major tactical switch he made that led to their dramatic late leveller against Chelsea at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Brentford boss praised his players' determination and resilience throughout the encounter.
"Delighted with the approach of the group, the character we constantly show," Andrews told BBC Match of the Day.
The manager felt his team merited their share of the spoils after Fabio Carvalho's stoppage-time strike cancelled out Chelsea's second-half comeback.
Brentford grabbed a late equaliser through Fabio Carvalho
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"The equaliser came very late but it's what I felt we deserved from the game in terms of the application, the quality the players showed for large parts," he added.
Andrews revealed his tactical preparations began well in advance of the encounter. The formation switch to three centre-backs was conceived approximately ten days before the match, during the international break when numerous players remained at the club's training ground.
"Probably about 10 days ago or so," Andrews explained when asked about his decision to alter the system. "We still had a large number of players here for the international break.
Keith Andrews opened up on a major tactical switch he made that led to their dramatic late leveller against Chelsea
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"I felt it might be a bit of a risk for Dango depending on the minutes he played. You're always at the mercy of who comes back and how many minutes. I just felt it was the right way to go and the type of opposition tonight."
The manager acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding returning internationals and their fitness levels influenced his planning.
"We didn't want to be camped in. Kevin's pace is just sensational and he's constantly growing in confidence," the manager continued. "He's in a different stature now in our group, he's shown last season for large parts what a good player he is and he will be a big part."
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Kevin Schade put the hosts in front
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The Bees boss concluded on the long throw-in that saw his side nick a late equaliser: "It's been here for numerous years, it's not new to us. That was probably the last eight to 10 games of last season, big Champions League games it was quite prominent and I felt it would probably trickle down the game.
"I felt there's a little bit of snobbery in the game around scenarios like that, but if the big boys do it then it seems to be accepted."
On the night, Schade capitalised on Jordan Henderson's precise long pass that initiated a swift counter-attack, slotting the ball past Robert Sánchez.
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Chelsea's response materialised through substitute Cole Palmer, who struck a crisp first-time volley shortly after entering the pitch around the hour mark.
The visitors then seized the advantage when Moises Caicedo thundered home a powerful effort in the 85th minute, with recent signing Alejandro Garnacho playing a crucial role in the build-up.
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A Moises Caicedo thunderbolt looked to be a match-winner
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However, Brentford secured their reward when substitute Carvalho converted from close range in the 93rd minute, following a long throw-in from Schade.
Andrews addressed the use of long throw-ins, defending the tactic against critics who view it unfavourably. The Brentford manager pointed out that the strategy has been part of their arsenal for several years.
"It's been here for numerous years, it's not new to us," Andrews stated. He noted that prominent teams employed similar tactics during major European fixtures last season, suggesting the approach had filtered through different levels of football.
"I felt there's a little bit of snobbery in the game around scenarios like that, but if the big boys do it then it seems to be accepted."