It’s 50-50 against Barca, says Drogba

It’s 50-50 against Barca, says Drogba

DIDIER Drogba has insisted that he would look to Chelsea’s victories over Barcelona as much as their bitter defeats ahead of Wednesday’s mouthwatering Champions League semi-final first leg.
The Blues renew their fierce rivalry with the Spanish giants this week, the fifth season out of the last eight that the sides have squared off in Europe’s premier club competition.
Most of those clashes have been dogged by controversies, none more so than the most recent at the same stage of the Champions League three years ago. Drogba’s foul-mouthed tirade against referee Tom Henning Ovrebo for failing to award Chelsea several penalties in Barca’s away-goal triumph earned the striker a four-match ban - later reduced to three.
But the 33-year old has also had plenty to celebrate against the Catalans in the past, saying: “It’s not only bad memories - we have some good memories as well against Barcelona. It’s 50-50, even if they are said to be the best team in the world and have the best player in the world,” Drogba said. “There are two games. Anything can happen.”
Drogba added of 2009: “It was a few years ago, so things have changed since then. But the desire is the same, the desire to beat them. It’s going to be a tough game for us but we’re ready to play.”

Chelsea head to Spain for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final with a one-goal lead after a valiant victory over Barcelona on Wednesday.

Barcelona made a strong start, with Alexis Sanchez hitting the bar and Cesc Fabregas calling Ashley Cole into action to clear off the line.

However, the Blues posed an increasing threat themselves and it was Didier Drogba who broke the deadlock before half-time - for the second semi-final in four days - latching on to Ramires' low cross.

The visitors came out fighting in the second half and Adriano forced the first of several impressive saves from Petr Cech. Substitute Thiago Alcantara hit the post late on, but Chelsea held on for a famous 1-0 win on another classic European night at Stamford Bridge.

Of course this is only the halfway stage in the tie, with a trip to the Nou Camp still to come on Tuesday.

Interim first-team coach Roberto Di Matteo certainly won't be taking a place in the Munich final for granted before heading to a stadium where Barcelona are undefeated in all competitions this season and have failed to win just three of their 26 matches.

The Blues will take confidence from their recent form in the Champions League, though, having won five of the last six European fixtures, as well as the all-important clean sheet in the first leg.