Terry hails Blues’ ‘best ever’ defensive display

CAPTAIN John Terry hailed Chelsea’s performance as among their “best ever” after they stifled free-scoring Barcelona with a disciplined defensive display.

Terry was hailed as “inspirational” by coach Guus Hiddink after the game but the Chelsea defender was quick to shift the praise on to the entire team.

Barcelona had scored in every home game this season and were last held at home by Manchester United at the same stage of the competition last season.

Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry have scored 90 goals between them in all competitions this season but Chelsea’s defensive tactics kept them at bay.

Allied to stalwart outfield performances from front to back was Petr Cech’s commanding display which saw him deny Daniel Alves, Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry and Aleksandr Hleb with fine saves.

“The whole team defended well,” said Terry.

“The manager stressed before the game there would be a spell of 10, 15 or even 20 minutes when they would keep the ball and we would not get it back off them.

“It was important we kept our shape and no-one stepped out of it. I thought we did that really well.

“We didn’t get frustrated but they did. We held our nerve and it was important we did that because they are such a good footballing side on such a big pitch. But the work the midfielders did was incredible.

“It was as good a performance as I’ve been involved in. Overall we haven’t got the goal but as a collective performance, with the whole team putting in a good shift, it is definitely up there with the best of them.”

“We knew exactly what to do. We stuck to it and that was the key. We trust him and we trust each other. We did the club and the manager proud but we are only halfway there.

“They would not let us play at the back or any time in midfield for the whole game. Credit to them as they stopped us playing totally.

“But it will be a different game at the Bridge, we showed a few years ago that we can get in their faces and make things difficult for them.

“It is virtually impossible to do that on that big pitch with the kind of players they have got, but it will be different at home.

“It will be a massive game and we have shown that we don’t fear anyone. They are a very good side but we showed that we are as well.”

Winger Florent Malouda wants the referee in charge of next week’s return leg to withstand any play-acting from Barcelona’s stars.

Malouda, who had a spat with Daniel Alves in the first half, is concerned Barca will continue their play-acting tactics in the second leg and urged the referee to remain strong.

He explained: “I think we were really strong mentally to resist that because when you challenge for the ball and see your opponent rolling on the floor, you have to stay calm and focused on the game.

“I hope the referee won’t help them for the second leg. It is part of our game to put pressure on the opponent. But it is part of the referee’s game to help us challenge fairly.

“We knew they would try to put more and more pressure on us so we had to stay really disciplined. The manager told us to stay strong and I am really happy with the result.”

Malouda is expecting Chelsea to finish the job at home but doesn’t expect Barcelona to deviate from their natural attack-minded game.

He added: “At home, in front of our fans, we are expecting to win.

“I think they will play the same way at Stamford Bridge as when you have that quality in your squad, they like to get the ball and control the game.

“It will be the same in London but I hope we are going to get a better result.”