Kezman starts for Chelsea

Jose Mourinho handed a starting role to in-form striker Mateja Kezman as Chelsea looked to overcome a one-goal deficit against Barcelona in their return Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge.

Kezman, who has scored in his last two games, was joined in attack for the last-16 tussle by Icelandic forward Eidur Gudjohnsen.

The changes were enforced because first-choice frontman Didier Drogba was suspended following his red card in the first leg at the Nou Camp.

Chelsea reverted to a 4-4-2 formation instead of their preferred 4-3-3 line-up with Joe Cole and Damien Duff providing the width on the right and left flanks respectively.

Barcelona, without the injured Rafael Marquez, replaced the defender with Oleguer in their back four.

But there was still no place in Frank Rijkaard’s starting line-up for first-leg hero Maxi Lopez.

The striker, who equalised and set up the winner for Samuel Eto’o, once again had to settle for a place on the bench, along with Ludovic Giuly.

French playmaker Giuly had not fully recovered from a back injury and Andres Iniesta replaced him in the team, although Rijkaard allowed himself the option of bringing on the former Monaco player later in the game.

Chelsea v Barcelona Chelsea: Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Gallas, Makelele, Cole, Lampard, Duff, Kezman, Gudjohnsen.

Subs: Cudicini, Johnson, Smertin, Geremi, Parker, Huth, Tiago.

Barcelona: Valdes, Belletti, Puyol, Oleguer, Van Bronckhorst, Deco, Gerard, Xavi, Ronaldinho, Eto’o, Iniesta.

Subs: Jorquera, Giuly, Maxi Lopez, Sylvinho, Fernando, Albertini, Damia.

Referee: Pierluigi Collina (Italy)