Source: Daily_Mail
Close to perfection! Terry hails Chelsea heroes after blocking out Barca
John Terry hailed his Chelsea troops for their 'almost perfect' performance to block out Barcelona last night.
The Blues scrapped their way to an admirable goalless draw at the Nou Camp to gain a slight advantage going into next Wednesday's return leg in London.
Chelsea's display was not easy on the eye but skipper Terry insists it was a brilliantly-executed plan to thwart free-scoring Barcelona.
It was the first time the Spanish giants have failed to score in any competition at home this season.
'That was an almost perfect performance which did the manager, the club and ourselves proud,' Terry said. 'It's definitely up there with all the best games I've been involved in.
'The work our midfield did was incredible but we defended as a team all night. Barca kept coming at us and coming at us and everyone is feeling it a bit in their legs at the moment.
'But even if the job is still only half done, I think we can be delighted to take a team like this one back to Stamford Bridge at only 0-0.
'They are such a good side that this counts as an achievement," said the England captain.
Chelsea, who will be boosted by the return of suspended Ashley Cole for the clash at Stamford Bridge, are now confident that they can put Barcelona to the sword and reach their second successive Champions League final.
And Terry warned that they will go on the attack in their attempt to make next month's showpiece in Rome.
'It will be a different game at our place,' he said. 'Credit to Barcelona, they stopped us playing, but now we're going to have our fans roaring us on and it's definitely game on.'
Meanwhile, Barcelona have been rocked by the news that Rafael Marquez will miss the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
The central defender was carried off on a stretcher last night and it has been confirmed that he has suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee.
'Rafa's loss is the worst thing about the game and we have to make sure we overcome it,' said boss Pepe Guardiola, who will also be without suspended skipper Carles Puyol at Stamford Bridge..
