Barcelona v Chelsea: Head 2 Head

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Frank v Jose

In the managerial game of poker, Jose Mourinho played his joker but Frank Rijkaard called his bluff. The Chelsea head coach may have fooled most into believing that Damien Duff was injured but not his opposite number. Rijkaard has spent too long in the Machiavellian world of Serie A to fall for such trickery and responded in the appropriate manner, by playing his own game regardless. The Dutchman's introduction of Maxi Lopez changed the game and enabled his side to exert waves of pressure that should have yielded more goals. Mourinho was not to be outdone, though, shoring up his defence with two banks of four after Didier Drogba's dismissal and ensuring Chelsea left the Nou Camp with the tie in the balance. The battle of wits has just begun.

Eto'o v Carvalho

Ricardo Carvalho had the most difficult job of the evening in marking the African Footballer of the Year.
Samuel Eto'o may have the fresh complexion and large ears of a young child but he takes some babysitting, with his exquisite touch and electrifying pace. If he could only improve his finishing, he would take his place among the world's great strikers. Carvalho just about coped, but a rare misjudgement allowed Eto'o to score the winner.
No wonder Chelsea once tried to sign him.

Marquez v Drogba

Drogba thrills and frustrates in equal measure, though this was not one of his better nights. The big African is so typically French that he probably cycles to training with several cloves of garlic around his neck. He had a running battle with Rafael Marquez but Drogba came off second best. The 26-year-old's clumsiness earned him a booking for a foul on the Mexican and, though he was unlucky to be sent off for what appeared to be a legitimate challenge on goalkeeper Victor Valdes, his petulance did him few favours.
To make matters worse he missed a sitter a minute after Chelsea's goal that would have given them a great chance of winning the game. After three weeks out with a groin injury this was an inauspicious return.

Giuly v Gallas

Ludovic Giuly was Chelsea's chief tormentor when they crashed out of the Champions League to Monaco last season, but William Gallas had his measure last night as he soaked up all of Barcelona's pressure with aplomb. Giuly must be sick of the sight of Mourinho, who seems to specialise in stifling his talents. Giuly hobbled off after 20 minutes of last season's Champions League Final and took another early bath here, being replaced after 64 minutes. A victory for Gallas

 

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