Chelsea Wins Against Barcelona By 1-0

Didier Drogba's Left footed shot assisted by Ramires , secured a comfortable win for Chelsea But surprisingly Barcelona Dominated the game. Against the reigning European champions it was one of those Chelsea performances that ends with the forward players heaping praise on the defenders and those at the back equally complementary about the strikers.

The Blues executed a game plan against Barcelona to the degree that we have a goal advantage and a home clean sheet at the midway point in a finely balanced tie. It was one of those nights when it was all-hands-on-deck when it came to blocking the Spaniards' way to our goal, as acknowledged by Juan Mata after the game.

'The defenders worked very well, and all the team were defending, not only the back four,' he said.

'We had to defend, because Barcelona kept a lot of the ball, and take advantage of our chances to score - and we did it. We achieved a good result for us. We had two or three chances to score and 1-0 is a good result.'

'We had to be very patient, Barcelona had an awful lot of possession early on and I didn't touch it for the first 10 to 15 minutes,' confirmed John Terry.

'Our midfielders had to work really hard and Didier up front on his own as well. It was a great, tireless performance from everyone.

'Didier is incredible,' added the captain. 'That is what he is all about - these big occasions - and you saw that on Sunday against Spurs as well.

'He put fear into the Spurs back four and he did that again last night. He is up there on his own against some of the best defenders in the world and it can be frustrating for him at times, but he holds the ball up so well and that allows our midfielders to get forward.'

Drogba's left-foot finish for the only goal just before half-time came from a Ramires cross off his weaker foot too. As in Napoli tie, the Brazilian was used on the left rather than his accustomed right side and earned praise from Mata, a player more usually on the left flank.

'He is a very fast player and very important for us in the counter attack, and against Barcelona he showed it.'

Drogba believes Chelsea have learnt from our previous encounters with Barcelona.

'We have improved from three years ago because we did not concede a goal at home and we are just happy because the result is a good one. We are going to go there and try to have a go and qualify.

'We come from a difficult time and it is great to play these games. It was difficult on the night but the most important thing was for us to win this game.'

'It is clearly going to be tough going back there to Barcelona,' admits John Terry. 'Quite clearly they are going to have opportunities there on a big pitch and given their possession. They are a great side but we showed in the first game that we are not in awe of them.

'We respect them, it is going to be tough, but another performance like that and we will be okay.'