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POWERFUL: Chelseastriker Didier Drogba

FLEET-FOOTED: Barcelona playmaker Lionel Messi

 It's going to be a high-intensity game, mentally as well, with pressure 

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The holders - stunned 1-0 by Chelsea in last week's semifinal first leg - completed a week to forget on Saturday when a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid at the Nou Camp effectively handed the domestic title to their arch-rivals.

Chelsea will hope to exploit any lingering hangover from Saturday's traumatic reverse to Real as they attempt to avenge their agonising elimination to Barca at the same stage three years ago.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola refused to hit the panic button after his side's loss to Real, expressing confidence that his players would be able to raise themselves again for the visit of Chelsea.

"We'll see (today) if these two defeats have affected us. We have to rest now and then pick ourselves up and see if we can find a way to beat such a physical side as Chelsea," Guardiola said.

But he acknowledged that Chelsea, who rested eight members of the side that started the first leg in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Arsenal, were likely to be the fresher of the two teams.

Chelsea, too, are unlikely to lose sight of the fact that they were comprehensively outplayed for much of the first leg. Barcelona enjoyed 70% of possession, hit the woodwork twice and carved out three other scoring chances that they would normally have expected to convert with ease.

Chelsea's lone shot on target proved to be Didier Drogba's first-half winner, scored on the counterattack after a mistake by Lionel Messi.

Interim Chelsea coach Roberto di Matteo is under no illusions about the scale of the task in front of his side.

"It's going to be a high-intensity game, mentally as well, with pressure," he said. "Every player who is going to go on the pitch is at risk."

Yet Di Matteo is hopeful that the drive of Chelsea's senior citizens - John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Petr Cech and Drogba were all outstanding in the first leg - augurs well for today. Another standout performer in the first leg was Gary Cahill.

• Real will need to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg against Bayern Munich tomorrow.

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Tue May 21 21:02:25 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 24, 2012

Bdoobs

Them gonna learn today, all I can say is WALLA Magic, Tadah Magic!!! Tonight "The Lil' Magician" will be at work and Chelsea followers will think its just an illussion, come end of the match the score board will read 3 Barca, 1 Chelsea and they will realize that 'The Lil' Magician' just got them good.
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Apr 24, 2012

sakhomba

the blues dream ends tonight. VIVA CATALANS!!!!
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Apr 24, 2012

Shwabada

Viva Barcelona I am behind you guys all the way.
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Apr 24, 2012

Deepstick-C

I repeat, Barcelona will see their BIG S again tonight. Possession dont score goals after all, I learned last week 
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Apr 24, 2012

Bdoobs

@Deepstick-C

I repeat, Barcelona will see their BIG S again tonight. Possession dont score goals after all, I learned last week 
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Prepare yourself for yet another lesson boy, parking a bus and hope to catch the opposition on a counter CAN work against you, if you play Barca it WILL definitely count against you. Messi will score 2 and Alexis 1, then of course Drogba will score a consolation and he will see red.
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Apr 24, 2012

Sneijder

Well well i can see the Barc fans are upset after beaten by Madrid over the past weekend I know we are then under dogs tonight but don't write us off and I tell you now if we score first you gonna be SORRY C'mon CHELSEA!!!!! BLUESSSSS ALL THE WAY.........
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Apr 24, 2012

RraDitamatie

WE ARE PARKING THE BUS AGAIN TONIGHT. BLUES ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Apr 24, 2012

BODESE

Shapa Black Jesus Shapa!!!!! I am saying BLUES ALL THE WAY !!!!!!!!!!
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Apr 24, 2012

GoonerASean

For the sack of football, I hope Barcelona go through, Chelsea play the most boring football, goddamn mugs, packing the midfield, Ramires stopping Alves from overlapping wont work tonight. Come on You Arsenal.
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Apr 24, 2012

ACHILLES

Gooner ASean
For the sack of football, I hope Barcelona go through, Chelsea play the most boring football, goddamn mugs, packing the midfield, Ramires stopping Alves from overlapping wont work tonight. Come on You Arsenal.
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Call it what u like buddy, its a strategy that works when u play the likes of barca, tonight we playing for a draw. another strategic approach and ur flow en possession of the ball is all in vain......BLUESSSS ALL THE WAYYYYY
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