Cole: Mestalla cauldron won't intimidate us

Chelsea need to make history and become the first English side in 40 years and 11 matches to win at Valencia if they are to reach the Champions League semi-finals.

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If they don't win, Cole's team will have to secure a high-scoring draw with the tie delicately poised at 1-1 after the first leg at Stamford Bridge last week.

The Spaniards have turned up the heat by branding Chelsea a physical, long-ball side but Cole, a losing Champions League finalist last year with Arsenal, is not ashamed of his team's strength.

He said: "I think it is going to be a physical, hard game in Valencia. They like to play and attack but we don't mind putting it about ourselves.

"If that is the game we have to play then we have to. We know what we have to do, they are a good team and we are focused on getting a good result.

"We need to score goals and we are confident we can do that and keep a clean sheet with it."

Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores insisted Chelsea will need to be more sophisticated to earn a likely semi-final with Liverpool, who are 3-0 up from their first-leg against PSV.

Sanchez Flores said: "I am aware of the type of football they are likely to play. Direct football is easier to defend against.

"I expect it to be very physical, like it was at Stamford Bridge. Of course it will be a tough fight, a physical battle, and there will be moments which are tense. We expect it to be a fight but we are up for it. We are afraid of nothing."

The intensity of tonight's game is likely to heap pressure on Greek referee Kyros Vassaras, with both coaches stressing in the buildup that small details are likely to swing the tie.

Mourinho has criticised the part-time travel agent already this season, suggesting he handed out too many yellow cards to his players in the group game against Werder Bremen at Stamford Bridge last September.

The Chelsea boss said: "It is important for everybody that the referee is courageous. Everybody loves the game and the referee and his assistants are very important in a good game of football."

Chelsea welcome back Michael Essien in a game that both teams hope will pass off peacefully after problems last week involving Spurs and Manchester United.

There will be a heavy police presence to ensure that Chelsea's travelling 2,500 supporters have a quiet night.

In a statement, Chelsea said: "The two clubs, both sets of fans and the various English and Spanish authorities enjoyed excellent dialogue and relations in the organisation and staging of a trouble-free first leg.

"That tone has continued in the run-up to tonight's game."