Goalless draw would be okay - Mourinho

Jose Mourinho admitted he would be happy to settle for a goalless draw from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona.

Last year’s Champions League clash between the teams produced nine goals over two thrilling games.

There is great anticipation as the Spanish and English champions go head-to-head again at Stamford Bridge tonight.

But the Chelsea manager rejects Frank Rijkaard’s theory that his Barcelona team are favourites for a quarter-final place because they play the second leg at home.

Mourinho said: “I don’t agree that Barcelona are the favourites. I am never one for judging European ties on a simplistic home and away basis.

“We could say that, if it goes to extra-time, the away team has an extra 30 minutes to score an away goal which could be key.

“I don’t think you need to win the home game two or three-nil and I don’t think you have to go away and keep a clean sheet.

“These are two teams at a very similar level. We will know who is best after the second leg but I don’t think home advantage is important.

“Nil-nil is not a result I would play for but it’s not a result that would frighten me.”

Chelsea blitzed Barca at Stamford Bridge last season with three goals inside the first 20 minutes.

It turned the tie on its head after Barcelona had won the first leg 2-1 in the Nou Camp.

Ronaldinho hit back with two before half-time but John Terry’s header settled the tie. Mourinho said: “Sometimes the game runs in a direction you can’t control. Last season we needed to win the home leg 1-0. I didn’t say go out and kill them in the first 10 minutes.

“It would be easy to sit here and say that’s what I told them but I just said 1-0 is enough. Maybe a goal in the last minute and you are in the next round.

“The only thing I can say to my players is that they will have to play 180 minutes minimum.”

Mourinho called on Norwegian referee Terje Hauge to be strong because Terry, Frank Lampard and Arjen Robben are all one booking away from suspension.

The Blues boss said it was the Spanish football culture to try to con the referee into giving cards and penalties.

Mourinho also rubbished claims from Spain that his team relied on “long-ball” tactics.

He said: “It’s not true. It is because they don’t see us many times and don’t see other English teams. I can tell you we play short.”

Chelsea’s Spain international defender Asier Del Horno moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer and he cannot wait to play a part in the sequel to last year’s thriller.

The Basque full-back, back after a thigh injury, said: “It’s more important to me because I missed it last year.

“We all want to play in demanding fixtures like this. That’s why I came to a club like Chelsea.

“We have to concentrate on not conceding goals. We will go all out for a result but we must bear in mind that there’s another game to follow in two weeks.”

William Gallas will not be fit, according to Mourinho, who is also without the suspended Michael Essien. But Claude Makelele returns from injury.

Barcelona are missing Xavi and Ludovic Giuly through injury and have left Maxi Lopez and Gabri in Spain.