Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 6: We have to be the Inredibles all over again, says Henry

04 May 2009 00:54
Thierry Henry led his team into the history books when they became the first Barcelona side to hit Real Madrid for six in their own stadium, but he believes it will take an equally monumental performance on Wednesday night to get past Chelsea.[LNB]Henry scored twice as Barcelona went seven points clear in La Liga but he warned: 'Everyone has seen that Chelsea do not play the same way as Spanish teams and we will have to go there and produce a performance every bit as incredible.'[LNB]The former Arsenal forward is expected to overcome a knee injury picked up in Saturday's win to make an emotional return to the capital. He was kicked by Spain right back Sergio Ramos, who he had tormented throughout the Bernabeu drubbing, and was taken off midway through the second half.[LNB] Barcelona's players salute their fans after an incredible 6-2 victory over fierce rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu[LNB]Henry said: 'He caught me from behind and, as I fell, I hit my knee. There is some pain but I think I will be able to play against Chelsea.'[LNB]Having taken his goal tally to 26 in all competitions, Henry goes into Wednesday's game in vintage form and convinced that, boosted by beating their domestic rivals, Barca have the stomach for their Champions League semi-final second leg.[LNB]He said: 'We know that we still haven't won anything but our intention is always the same. We always go out to play our game and try to win. We are fighters. We have very good players but we have spirit, too.'[LNB] Barca have been stung by suggestions they whinged about Chelsea's strong-arm tactics in the goalless first game. Right back Dani Alves said: 'We didn't cry about the first leg. All we did was point out Chelsea's physical approach was over the top.[LNB]'We're not complaining about anything. We are just focused on going to London and reaching the final. We have to show that we have character. This game is going to be just as hard for them as it is for us.'[LNB]Barca's only minus point from the Madrid win was their abject failure to defend crosses and with it the fear Chelsea's aerial strength could prove vital.[LNB]Henry was in scoring form in the romp and now has his eyes set on the Champions League semi-final with Chelsea on Wednesday[LNB]Centre back Gerard Pique admitted: 'It is worrying. On Wednesday it will be really difficult to defend all their players on set-pieces because they are strong. We have to defend as a team. That is the only way we can win the game.'[LNB]Champions League top scorer Leo Messi added: 'With the kind of beautiful football we are playing we know all things are possible. We go to Chelsea with all the confidence in the world.'[LNB]Real Madrid's president-inwaiting is reluctant to give coach Juande Ramos a new contract - despite being knocked back by Arsene Wenger, Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez.[LNB]Florentino Perez, the man who ushered in the era of the galacticos before resigning as Bernabeu supremo three years ago, is set to return this summer.[LNB]And he will overlook Ramos for the manager's job after the stinging defeat by Barca, which reaffirmed his opinion that the former Tottenham boss is not the man for the big occasion.[LNB]Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini is now the favoured candidate, though former Madrid playmaker Michael Laudrup has also been linked with the vacancy. Chelsea 3 Fulham 1: Blues win derby but Guus is awake to Barca threat Ramos set for the chop as Real president-elect Perez plans changesHiddink taking nothing for granted ahead of crunch Barcelona clash ALL THE CHELSEA FC

Source: Daily_Mail