Source: CCTV.com

04-28-2009 10:44

Barcelona faces Chelsea in the first leg of the clubs' UEFA Champions-League semi-final on Tuesday.

Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez listens during a news conference at Nou Camp in Barcelona April 27, 2009. Barcelona will play Chelsea in their Champions League semi final first-leg soccer match on Tuesday REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino (SPAIN SPORT SOCCER) 

Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez listens during a news conference at 
Nou Camp in Barcelona April 27, 2009. Barcelona will play Chelsea
in their Champions League semi final first-leg soccer match on 
Tuesday REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino (SPAIN SPORT SOCCER) 

Pep Guardiola hopes to guide Barca to its second European Cup triumph in three years, while Chelsea aims to go one better than last year when they finished runners-up to Manchester United after a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

Barcelona's reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for a record-equaling sixth time, and for the second year in a row. But Manchester United eliminated Barca in last season's semi-final round, and Liverpool did the same the year before. For coach Pep Guardiola, the match against Chelsea at the Camp Nou is likely to define Barcelona's season.

Pep Guardiola, Barcelona coach, said, "I must say I was very impressed watching some of their matches... We need to achieve great control of the game. They are very, very powerful and strong with the ability to cover long distances. They are a team with great experience. They've been playing together for many years and are very used to this type of game."