Chelsea and Barca set for potato field showdown
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-21 11:01

Spain left back Asier Del Horno will be fit after injury but there is more doubt over France defender William Gallas (hamstring) and midfield compatriot Claude Makelele (knee).

"Gallas is injured, in the recovery process, and we will have to wait a bit more. I think Makelele will be ready but I cannot say for final now," said Mourinho.

ESSIEN SUSPENDED

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien is suspended for both games in the tie. UEFA made their decision after watching a video of a tackle he made on Didi Hamann during a group match against Liverpool in December.

Barcelona recovered from their recent hiccup with a 5-1 victory over Real Betis at the Nou Camp on Saturday, World Player of the Year Ronaldinho giving a virtuoso performance on his return.

The Brazilian, who missed Barca's consecutive league defeats against Atletico Madrid and Valencia through suspension, made two and scored two in a rather flattering win.

With last season's defeat by Chelsea in mind, Barca coach Frank Rijkaard may decide to beef up his midfield with the presence of Mark van Bommel and Thiago Motta in which case Argentine teenager Lionel Messi would start on the bench.

Brazilian international Edmilson and Mourinho's former protege at Porto, Deco, are expected to complete the four-man midfield, while French winger Ludovic Giuly is still nursing a muscle strain and has been left out of the squad.

Probable teams:

Chelsea: 1-Petr Cech; 13-William Gallas (or 20-Paulo Ferreira) 6-Ricardo Carvalho, 25-John Terry, 3-Asier Del Horno ; 22-Eidur Gudjohnsen, 8-Frank Lampard, 4-Claude Makelele (or 14-Geremi); 16-Arjen Robben, 9-Hernan Crespo, 10-Joe Cole (or 11-Damien Duff)

Barcelona: 1-Victor Valdes; 2-Juliano Belletti (or 23-Oleguer), 5-Carles Puyol, 4-Rafael Marquez, 16-Silvinho (or 12-Giovanni van Bronckhorst); 17-Mark van Bommel, 3-Thiago Motta (or 30-Lionel Messi), 15-Edmilson, 20-Deco; 10-Ronaldinho, 9-Samuel Eto'o. Referee: Terje Hauge (Norway)