Uefa Champions League, Semi-final first leg
Venue:
Camp Nou Date:
Tuesday, 28 April Kick-off:
1945 BST
Coverage:
Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live with live text commentary on the BBC Sport website; Full commentary on BBC London 94.9 FM, DAB & online
Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink is confident that Jose Bosingwa can keep Barcelona winger Lionel Messi quiet in the Champions League semi-final first leg.
The Argentine has been in spectacular form, and with regular left-back Ashley Cole suspended, Chelsea will rely on Bosingwa to switch from right-back.
"I have full confidence Bosingwa can do the job on Tuesday," said Hiddink ahead of the clash at Camp Nou.
"We have some more options, but if he is doing well he can do the job."
Barcelona thrashed Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals and Hiddink is well aware that the likes of Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o also pose a huge threat.
 |
I am very impressed with Chelsea, they are a powerful team and a lot stronger than us, so we must keep hold of the ball and make the difference at home
Pep Guardiola
|
"If you go to a double man-marking system and focus too much on that you forget there are other big players that can do the damage," said the Dutchman.
"A lot of teams have shown that it is very difficult to stop them. The front line is world class, Henry has class and experience and Samuel Eto'o I had as a young player at Real Madrid when he was 17.
"At that time he was already impressive and then he got titles and experience."
Messi, 21, remains the star attraction at Barcelona, however, with 21 goals so far this season as the club go for the Champions League and domestic Copa del Rey and La Liga titles.
"At a young age, Messi is one of the best players in the world already," said Hiddink. "He is the kind of player who is playing in a big club because of his style of play.
|
606: DEBATE
bestchelseasteven
|
"He had big promise and within a short period he has made it happen completely.
"I like very much the way he plays, he does like the stardom of playing and it's very effective. It looks very simple but it is very difficult."
Despite the attacking talent available to the opposition, Hiddink insisted that his side will not sit back in Spain.
"Both teams have the style to attack when they can," said Hiddink. "Chelsea is not a team with a strategy to sit back and wait until something happens.
"The team is showing a lot of initiative. It is more or less an open clash between two teams who like to go forward."
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola believes that Chelsea's dramatic 7-5 aggregate win over Liverpool in the previous round proved his side are at a physical disadvantage against the Premier League outfit.
"I am very impressed with Chelsea, they are a powerful team and a lot stronger than us, so we must keep hold of the ball and make the difference at home," said Guardiola.
"Our intention is to play our usual style which means attacking while at the same time making sure that we do not concede a goal.
"I saw in Chelsea's game against Liverpool the danger they pose in the air especially from (Didier) Drogba and so we have to be careful to concede as few free-kicks and corners as possible.
"Chelsea have more to their game though than just power and if you let them play then they can create a lot of danger with footballers who can run 20 or 30 yards with a ball and we just have to be aware of that.
"We have played other teams though that have a similar approach to Chelsea so we do know what to expect."
No comments:
Post a Comment