Source: Daily_Mail
Pep talk: Guardiola fears Chelsea clout will stifle Barca brilliance
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola wants to see his players dominate a 'physical' Chelsea side when they meet in the Champions League semi-final, first leg at the Nou Camp.[LNB]Guardiola, who won the Champions League as a Barca player in 1992, has led the Catalan giants all the way to the last four in his first season as coach.[LNB]Barcelona are also top of the Primera Division and face Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey next month.[LNB] Red letter day: Barca players prepare at the Nou Camp for their clash with Chelsea[LNB]A possible treble is therefore still on for the Catalans but the Champions League is likely to be the hardest to win of those three competitions and Guardiola hopes his players can avoid getting dragged into a physical battle against Chelsea.[LNB]Pep talk: Guardiola is ready for battle[LNB]'They are a very strong team physically and have a lot of experience,' he said. 'From a physical point of view, they are much more powerful than us, so my players will have to dominate.'[LNB]Guardiola is particularly concerned by the threat Guus Hiddink's side pose from set-pieces.[LNB]'People like (Branislav) Ivanovic, (John) Terry, (Michael) Ballack and (Didier) Drogba are strong in the air, so the less free-kicks and corners we give away the better - because they are better than us in that respect,' he said.[LNB]After tonight's first leg, the two sides meet again in London on May 6, and Guardiola believes the second match will decide which team progresses to the final in Rome later next month.[LNB] Hiddink calls for courage: 'We must put the brakes on the best team in the world'Chelsea and Spurs wait in the wings as Barca offer £30m Eto'o to Man CityChelsea dream of a small miracle... but Barca already have one in MessiBosingwa vows to shut out Messi as Chelsea brace for Barca onslaughtCHELSEA FC
