Di Matteo: Barca fear Blues

Barcelona may be the greatest team the world has ever seen but Roberto Di Matteo has taunted the European champions ahead of tonight’s Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge by insisting they simply don’t like playing against Chelsea.

It may prove to be a high-risk tactic by the Chelsea caretaker manager but having restored the combative, direct style that Andre Villas-Boas attempted to change — with little success — there is a growing belief in West London that the brawn of Didier Drogba and the mental strength of Chelsea’s old guard could provide the Champions League with one of the biggest shocks of recent seasons.

On the face of it, the Blues, currently sixth in the Premier League and 25 points behind leaders Manchester United, have little or no chance of making their second final in four years given their lamentable form during the course of a difficult season that has seen Villas-Boas sacked, Frank Lampard dropped, John Terry stripped of the England captaincy and Fernando Torres hit a new low in front of goal.