FC BARCELONA

Aware that it will be very difficult, Catalan and Asturian adoption are optimistic with moderation.

Two of the three Spanish players in the ranks miltan Chelsea yesterday showed their full belief in the possibilities of his squad for the Champions League semi-final they will face Barcelona on Wednesday April 18 at Stamford Bridge and 24 in the Camp Nou.

Both exvalencianista Juan Mata and the exbarcelonista Oriol Romeu agree to ensure, though, that may not make any mistakes if they want to achieve your goal.

Mata is convinced that the tactics will be crucial to the options 'blues', especially considering the first leg. "We can get a good result if we put into practice the way we played and got to prevent the Bar-ça develop his usual touch football and possession," the Spanish international.

"We aim to have a clinic in our chances in attack and be very compact to defend as a team throughout the match. The key is that we remain very compact," continued the former player of Valencia.

In his first season at Stamford Bridge, Mata is playing a key role both Vilas Boas on the bench as now under the command of his former assistant, Italian Roberto di Matteo. The Burgos to date has scored ten goals in all competitions (five in the Premier League, three in the FA Cup and two in the Champions League).

"Barça is one of the world's best players in their ranks 'Leo Messi', but in football nothing is impossible. They have many players with a huge experience in these games, but we. Now we are going through a roll results and the team has won much confidence, this has been the main change. we are in the semifinals of the FA Cup and the Champions League but we are also focused on being fourth in the Premier or third parties. to overcome the Barça have to do a great match ... that's obvious, "he reflected.

Mata remembered what happened in 2009 with a goal from Iniesta in the discount Barca qualified for the final in Rome. "Chelsea came close last time and I remember it well. He was about and I hope that this year the end is different," he added.

He also mentioned that circumstance Oriol Romeu options to support your team. "Chelsea has already demonstrated three years ago that is able to beat Barça," said the Catalan midfielder. The Ulldecona praised the quality and ambition of the azulgrana equipment.

"They are showing a dramatic level for many years and not lose one iota his desire to win, but we can beat them," he continued.

"I'm playing less, but I'm comfortable and I'm training well. I signed for Chelsea to grow as a player. My goal is not necessarily play the semifinals of the Champions ... I want to go slow. I will be patient and try to use my opportunities when they arrive ", said Romeu. (via SPORT)

Chelsea's centre-back John Terry confessed passion with her ​​twin sons by the '10' Barça.

John Terry is already thinking about the next clash of the Champions League semifinal against Barça. Peo is not the only family that has the remaining hours for matches at Stamford Bridge and the Camp Nou. The twins of five Summer Rose and Georgie John, the sons of the centre-back, are ardent fans of the star's next opponent 'blue', Leo Messi. Such is their passion that they hide when sheathed or a football shirt.

"My children have Messi's shirt. Just love him. Both have shirts Barça with his name on the back and like to see that Messi changed his jersey with rivals when they finish the games and will do now with us," Terry said to 'The Sun'.

Chelsea defender believes Messi "clearly the best player ever." Terry is full of praise when speaking of Argentina. "It's a pleasure to compete against him and when I finish my career is something that I can count. And when we see on television, I tell my kids that I played against him," he said.

But Terry knows that mñáxima of 'the enemy, no water' must always be respected. And although contravene their offspring, do not hesitate to launch their battle cry bound to Rosario: "Messi is a great player and a great person. It has everything and is magical. But it can be stopped and we have shown in games earlier. Beyond the possibility of saying 'I played against him', is about winning. we know it will be very hard because Barça is a great team but we can. " (via SPORT)

The defender has said that he feels well enough to leave the pitch despite his painful injury.

The England defender John Terry said today that it can continue playing with Chelsea despite a medical examination confirmed that it has two broken ribs from last week. The return of the quarter-finals of the Champions League that the "blues" played yesterday against Benfica, Terry had to leave the field because "I could not breathe."

This morning, the defender spent a review that revealed how two of his ribs were fractured on 27 March in the first leg against the Portuguese, which, according to the player, will not prevent further jugando.Terry, who played 90 minutes last Saturday against Aston Villa, will not play this weekend's visit to Stamford Bridge Wigan, but expects to be available to coach Roberto Di Matteo on Monday, when the "blues" face Fulham.

"I got an elbow in the first match (against Benfica), and the doctors thought I might have broken two ribs. I said that was fine but then on the back (last night), I started feeling worse and could not breathing. I never felt that way, "told the player." I do not think that means I'm rejected. simply is a situation that must be managed. the truth is that when it comes to the ribs there is nothing you can do. you can not get a massage in the area to feel better, "said the defender.

The Englishman played a prominent role in the opening minutes of last night's clash against Benfica in the English sealed his move to the semifinals of the Champions League. Chelsea is now preparing to contest the April 18, the semifinals of the European showpiece against Barcelona, a round that republished the controversial 2009 clash between the teams, the Spanish Andrés Iniesta decanted from the Catalan side with a goal at the last minute. (via MD)

The Norwegian still receiving threatening emails Chelsea fans for his arbitration in the semifinals of the Champions of 2009 against Barça.

Norwegian Tom Henning Ovrebo still receiving threatening emails Chelsea fans for his arbitration in the semifinal of the Champions League that the English lost against Barcelona in 2009, admitted today to the British newspaper 'The Guardian'.

The Blues will face off on April 18 against azulgrana in a controversial semi-final clash reissue the last three seasons in which a Spanish Andrés Iniesta goal in the last breath left out the whole of Stamford Bridge. On that occasion, the British claimed up to four penalties that the referee did not grant, and two players 'blue', Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa Portuguese, received penalties of four and three games respectively by angry rebuke to college after the final whistle .

After that day, Ovrebo, who is now 45, received several threats via e-mail, and ensures that you still receive some letters "abusive". "It's still hard. Keep getting three or four emails from Chelsea fans every year," said the referee, who lives in Oslo and continue refereeing in the Norwegian First Division. "It's not pleasant, but nothing too serious. Do not let it affects me or my family. The truth is that they do not know much about this because I teach mails," said Ovrebo, father of four, who also serves as a psychologist.

The Norwegian retired from international arbitration in May 2010, a year after the game between Chelsea and Barcelona in which, he admits, made ​​some mistakes. "Looking back, there are certain things I should have done differently. Learned a lot from that experience," said the referee, who stressed that "all referees have their good and bad games, times when they do well, and others where not so good. "

Stressed that the experience Ovrebo at Stamford Bridge "clouded" his "love of football" and that now looks less games on TV than before. Still, the referee said that will see the next semifinal between English and Catalans. "Despite everything that happened, I love the Champions League, especially the big games played in the final stages of the tournament, and this is definitely one of them," he said. (via MD)

Barça and Chelsea have met six times in European competitions with the 2009 semi final – when Iniesta scored a late winner to take Barça into the final – the most memorable.



Chelsea and Barça are set to meet in the Champions League semis once again after a series of games between the two over the last decade, with the 2009 semi perhaps the most memorable.

Four days after seeing off Madrid 2-6 in the Bernabeu – a result that virtually ensured Guardiola’s team took the league title – Barça travelled to Stamford Bridge after drawing 0-0 in the Camp Nou in the first leg. Reduced to 10 men after Abidal saw red, Barça were up against the wall when Alves, in injury time, put in a cross from the right to the far post: Eto’o headed it back towards Messi, who laid it off for Iniesta on the edge of the area and the Spanish midfielder fired in a brilliant shot which gave Cech no chance and booked Guardiola’s team a place in the Rome final.

That meeting was the third time the two teams had met since 2005, when the Londoners, under the ownership of Roman Abramovich, began to chisel out a place in Europe’s elite. With the arrival of José Mourinho, the temperature of the games began to increase.

In the 2005 quarter finals, it was Chelsea who got through, whilst a year later at the same stage and with a young Messi and unstoppable Ronaldinho, it was Barça who had the upper hand . In the 2006/07 group stage, the English team finished top of the group thanks to the draw they achieved at the Camp Nou.

However, the excitement of the games between the two goes back further: one of the most spectacular comebacks in the Club’s European history came in the 99/00 season when Louis van Gaal’s team overturned a 3-1 defeat in the first leg at Stamford Bridge to win 5-1 at the Camp Nou.

Before that, the two had only previously met in the 1965/66 Fairs Cup, when Barça needed a third play off game to see of f the Londoners in the semi finals – a forerunner of the close and exciting games between the two that were to come. (via FCBarcelona.com)

The excanterano of Barça admits it will be a very special game for him and for the 'blues'.

The Spanish midfielder of Chelsea Oriol Romeu said that the "blues", which were planted again in a semifinal of the Champions League by beating Benfica (2-1), "and demonstrated" in 2009 that "can win at Barcelona" . Romeu, 20, told Efe after the meeting in which the English sealed his move to semifinals that the English have the expertise to exceed those of Pep Guardiola, as we were on the verge of three seasons ago, when only a goal from Andres Iniesta in the last minute left out the "blues". The Barca excanterano also stressed that the clash against Barcelona will be "special" for him and for the rest of his team. "I have been fortunate to be there, so do a little more than illusion, but a Champions League semi-final is always special for all players, and more against a team like Barcelona," said Romeu. Catalan, whom the now ceased André Villas-Boas gave many opportunities to jump into the grass with Chelsea this season, said that had not been raised to joining the Londoners last summer that would have the opportunity to contest a semifinal league Champions at the Camp Nou. "I signed for Chelsea to grow as a player to improve. That's what I wanted. Not be in a Champions League semifinal, but play games. I want to go slowly," said Romeu.

The young midfielder admitted that the Italian Roberto Di Matteo on the bench has played fewer minutes than with Villas-Boas, dismissed on 4 March after Chelsea lost the league against West Bromwich, at a time in which the Champions League seemed a distant option after yielding a 3-1 against Napoli. "Now I'm having a bit more," said the midfielder, who stressed, however, he feels "very comfortable" in the dressing room at Stamford Bridge. "I feel very comfortable, good training. I think when I will have to play well, and that is important, be comfortable with yourself and wait for your opportunity," said Romeu. Over his rival in the next round of Europe's top competition, Catalan said the Barcelona players "have for many years at a spectacular level." "Do not lose ambition, the will to win, and that's how good they have," said the midfielder, who also warned that while Barcelona is "a high level," also "can win." (via SPORT)

Chelsea captain broke two ribs in the match against Benfica and is awaiting medical tests to determine whether to play against Barça.

Danger John Terry for the semifinals. Chelsea captain has many numbers to miss the playoff semifinals of the Champions League (18 in London and April 24 at the Camp Nou) against Barça after meeting with two broken ribs after an elbow he suffered in Lisbon before the Benfica in the quarter-final first leg against Benfica, "I thought it was okay, but later in the second half, which seemed to be getting worse and I was struggling to breathe to be honest." The 31-year-old, despite the injury, was able to play 90 minutes of Saturday's Premier League against Aston Villa. "When you have one in the ribs, you can not do anything about it, you can try, just to get better, but I can get," said Terry, who on Thursday will undergo medical tests to determine whether available or not to face the azulgranas. (via SPORT)

Benfica's Argentine forward Pablo Aimar, said it is "difficult" that Chelsea find "great options" to win when they face Barcelona in the semifinals of the Champions League.

After the defeat of the Portuguese box at Stamford Bridge 2-1, which got off to Benfica in European competition and sealed the British to pass the next round, Aimar said that the Blues will not easy to overcome that considered the "best team in the world."

"Options yes, of course, will have, but are going to face that, in my opinion, is the best team in the world, which also has the best player in the world," said the Argentine.

Aimar praised the play of his countryman Leo Messi and considered the Barcelona forward can put against the wall at the Italian team coach Roberto Di Matteo. "The others play football. Messi Mesi plays, doing something else," described the forward.

Benfica had little chance to beat a Chelsea jumped into the grass with a defensive approach to keep the advantage from the first leg (0-1), although the Portuguese were given a scare at Stamford Brige in the final minutes with a goal from Spanish Javi García.

"We knew we were going to take our chances. We had plenty of the ball, but we're talking about a team that has great individuals, which can throw at any time," said Aimar. (via SPORT)

After ending "was Mourinho ', Chelsea reached its greatest heights in the Champions League with any technical or Avram Grant as Guus Hiddink. Now comes the turn to Di Matteo.

The data do not lie. The best records of Chelsea in Champions have come in unexpected situations in the most convulsive periods in which Roman Abramovich sacked so withering to their technicians.

The first was the now Madridista José Mourinho. The Portuguese, after winning main legacy bicampeonato league for the 2004/05 and 2005/06 and the FA Cup in 2007, was dismissed from office by Roman Abramovich, who did not tolerate the abuse of power by then accumulated and 'The Special One'. A series of poor results early in the season 2007/08 was the perfect excuse to 'Mou' had to abandon ship 'blue' by the back door to the amazement of her adoring fans. The Israeli Avram Grant, who accumulated just a few months as assistant to the Portuguese, was commissioned to take the reins.

With Grant at the helm the best beat Chelsea European registries of Mourinho with the Blues, who fell in the semifinals against Liverpool in 2005 and 2007 - to leave behind Olympiacos and Fenerbahce's affordable and in the semifinals to the 'coconut' of 'Mou', Liverpool to reach the final in Moscow, where succumb on penalties against Manchester United, who beat Barça in the semis, a game that still is cursed among the fans 'blue' by the unfortunate slip of Captain John Terry, who had of course the ultimate goal would have given the club's first Champions south London.

Despite reaching the Champions League final, Avram Grant would have no future at Stamford Bridge. Abramovich already had tied to his successor, Luiz Felipe Scolari. However, the commitment to coach five-time world Brazilian Korea and Japan 2002 did not go as expected, and Abramovich had no second thought to show him the exit door in February 2009 and try his luck with a classic of the benches of Europe: Dutchman Guus Hiddink.

With the Dutch coach Chelsea get planted in the semifinals after beating demanding rounds: round Juventus and Liverpool, who had run to Madrid at the crossroads of 'chorreo'-in quarters.

In semis expecting a Barça that had knocked Lyon and Bayern Munich after two exhibitions at the Camp Nou. The physical strength and good tactical approach would prevent Guardiola completasen a good game at home against the Blues. Everything was open for the return and, after a bad game the azulgrana, the 'Iniestazo' sentencing. To remember the indelible image of Guardiola bypassing the protocol in the technical area and congratulating the Dutchman a few minutes left, Iniesta seconds before touch the sky with a legendary shot. Hiddink would remove the thorn from the European phase conquering the FA Cup by beating Everton in the final.

Despite compete as equals against the best in recent times Barça, Hiddink, who was then combined his technical work with the post of coach of Russia, left the bench at Stamford Bridge on behalf of Carlo Ancelotti, landing in London with the intention of reissuing his successes on the bench for Milan, with two Champions (2003 and 2007) as the primary collateral.

But you would be lucky to Italian elusive, despite a double-win FA Cup, Premiership and in his first season, eventually convicted after two consecutive failures in the Champions League, in the second round against Inter in 2010 and the quarter against Manchester United in 2011.

With his departure last summer's promising draft tear André Villas-Boas, called to be at Stamford Bridge the great successor to José Mourinho. However, the irregular play of the team, alleged discrepancies with the heavyweights of the staff and especially the modest results in the Premiership and European elimination right around the corner, after the embarrassing defeat in the round of sixteen in Naples - ended up condemning the pupil of 'Mou', which would cede his post to his deputy, Italian Roberto Di Matteo. With him started the new European dream of Chelsea, after turning the tie against Benfica Naples and overcome suffered in two games, dreams take revenge now suffered the elimination against Barca in the semis in 2009. Chelsea wounded, the coaches of any, is the most dangerous in Europe. Guardiola's Barca will do well to take this into account. (via SPORT)

The English side sent Benfica out of the competition after beating the Portuguese side 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. They will face Barça in the semifinals of the Champions League.

The away leg will be played on Wednesday, April 18, at Stamford Bridge and the return leg, on the 24th, will be at the Camp Nou.

Barça know who their opponents will be in the semifinals of the Champions League. It will be Chelsea, who sent Benfica out of the competition in the quarterfinal round. The Blues won the away leg in Portugal by 0-1 and this Wednesday they sealed passage to the next round by 2-1 in London. The English side went ahead thanks to a penalty shot by Lampard, however, even though Benfica were down a man throughout the whole second half when Pereira was sent off, Javi Garcia brought his team level on 85 minutes. Chelsea scored their second in stoppage time through Meirelles.

To get to the quarterfinals, Chelsea beat Naples is a thrilling Round of 16 matchup. They finished first in their group ahead of Leverkusen, Valencia and Genk.

The Champions League has been the competition that Chelsea have found the most success this season. They currently sit in fifth position, 23 points adrift from the leaders, in the Premier League. André Villas-Boas was sacked earlier this season due to the team’s irregular performance in the domestic competition. The English side is currently managed by Roberto di Matteo.

The team have a slew of fantastic players like Cech, Terry, Essien, Lampard and Drogba, including well-known footballers to Barça fans like Fernando Torres, Juan Mata and the ex-Barça player Oriol Romeu.

The Chelsea-Barça matchup has turned into a European classic. The English and the Catalans have been involved in some of the most vibrant European games in recent memory. The most recent of which is the unforgettable game where Iniesta scored in the last minute of the semifinal match in 2009 at Stamford Bridge which gave Barça passage to the final in Rome.

Expectations were met on the other side of the bracket as both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid beat their quarterfinal opponents to reach the semifinals. The away leg will be played at the Allianz Arena, on April 17th, and the return leg will be at the Santiago Bernabéu on the 25th. (via FCBarcelona.com)

Barça played the semifinals against Benfica and Chelsea (0-1 on the way).
The first leg will be played on Wednesday April 18 and return leg at the Camp Nou on 24.

The British tycoon Abramovich or the Portuguese of Benfica Lisbon will be the last step to be overcome Barça before the final in Munich. Londoners leave with the advantage of a field goal and, although Benfica will not easily give up and warns that sell expensive skin.

The stakes are a clear advantage to Chelsea, who longs to get into their second final (lost to Manchester United in 2008) and what would be the conquest of his first European scepter. Benfica, even with a lower potential football on paper, has more experience in the finals of the European Cup, as it has played so far 7 finals with the balance of 2 wins and 5 losses. The victories, by the way, with Barça and Real Madrid (1961 and 1962).

The first leg of the semifinal will be played on Wednesday April 18 and return leg in the Nou Camp on Tuesday, 24. (via MD)