Barca relishing clash with Chelsea

Barca relishing clash with Chelsea

Barcelona's coaching staff have claimed they are relishing playing Chelsea in the last four of the Champions League.

The Catalan giants, already leading 4-0 from the first leg, secured their place in the semi-finals with a 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich on Tuesday. A draw that saw them progress 5-1 on aggregate and that means they will now face Chelsea who themselves overcame Liverpool.

Franck Ribery gave Bayern the lead in the 47th minute, but Barca hit back with Seydou Keita's drive restoring parity in the 73rd minute.

Barcelona were led out by Pep Guardiola's right-hand man Tito Vilanova due to the head coach's suspension following his red card in the first leg.

Guardiola will be back in charge for the semi-final against Chelsea and Vilanova does not expect that to be an easy tie.

"I don't think we had any preference between Liverpool or Chelsea," he said.

"Maybe Chelsea are more attacking, but Liverpool are very disciplined in defence. Either way, we have a tough opponent and we have got to accept that it is Chelsea and not Liverpool.

"Liverpool would not have been any easier, but Chelsea is hard enough."

Barcelona's astonishing season could see them win three titles this year.

They are in the semi-final of the Copa del Rey, are close to clinching the Spanish championship and, for many, they are the favourites for Champions League glory.

But Vilanova insists that they have not yet achieved anything yet.

"We have got to keep on working," he said. "I don't think we can say we have reached our goals for the season just yet.

"We have three titles up for grabs and we have now got to get them."


Powered by Disqus
  • Join us on Facebook Join us on Facebook


standard
 

  • ESPN is a trademark of ESPN, Inc and STAR is a trademark of Star Television Productions Limited. Trademarks used under license by ESPN STAR Sports.
  • Presented by ESPN, Star Sports, Star Cricket