Chelsea ready to banish blues in Barca

Claude Makelele insisted Chelsea will go for the win in Barcelona tomorrow night.

The Premiership leaders’ hopes of claiming an unprecedented 'quadruple' ended on Sunday with defeat in the FA Cup at Newcastle.

But midfielder Makelele believes his team-mates can recover in style at the Nou Camp.

Makelele told PA: “We don’t want to get beaten as that way we will have a chance at home. We will deal with each match as we face them. We don’t know how to go out looking for a 0-0 draw, we will go out to win.”

Chelsea’s disappointment at St James’ Park was not just restricted to the defeat, but also the loss of key players to injury.

Left-back Wayne Bridge suffered a double fracture of his left ankle and will definitely not play at the Nou Camp, while Damien Duff and William Gallas face late fitness tests.

With Arjen Robben already sidelined with broken bones in his foot, manager Jose Mourinho is likely to opt for a safety-first policy in Catalonia.

“At the moment, we are not conceding goals and we have a good balance in attack and defence,” former French international Makelele said. “We have to rely on the people that we have although it is true that the players coming in are good.”

The mood is far more upbeat at Barcelona. Frank Rijkaard’s team restored their seven-point advantage at the top of the Primera Liga on Saturday night with a 2-0 defeat of Real Mallorca as Portugal playmaker Deco grabbed both goals.

Makelele, who once played against Barcelona as a Real Madrid player, concedes they are strong opponents who are especially strong in midfield where Deco and Ronaldinho provide the flair.

“Barcelona are a good team, we have seen them a lot on television,” he said. “They are leading the Spanish league and we know that it is going to be a difficult match.

“Barca are most dangerous in attack and especially the way that they move the ball from midfield to the forwards which is very quick.”