Mourinho on Barcelona-Chelsea key issues

author: José Mourinho
source: The Daily Mail
date: 24 April 2009
editing: fcbtransfers.blogspot.com





Barcelona are bang in form but there is talent and passion at Chelsea. They will believe this tie is one they can win.

I don't think there is a magic formula, but there are players at Chelsea who deserve to win the European Cup. If they failed to win it in their careers, it would be a massive shame for them because they really deserve it. You want the best players in the world to win the European Cup.

Also, we all know Didier Drogba loves to prove people wrong. He has hit form at just the right time. Anyone who still thinks he isn't one of the best strikers in world football really doesn't know what they are talking about. If you write him off, he will punish you.

Key battle: Essien v Xavi
These boys are both machines. They are the engines in both sides, allowing the flair players to do their job. Expect a huge battle between them. Neither of them will pull out of anything and they won’t stop running and tackling for the 180 minutes.

Key battle: Eto'o v Terry
Samuel Eto'o may very well be the on-form striker in Europe and Chelsea are more than aware of the danger he poses. These are the sort of matches John Terry lives for and I expect him to be given the job of keeping Eto'o quiet. It will be one of his toughest tests yet, but he is more than up to it if he performs at the top of his game.

As a coach, you could not ask any more from a leader. He is a great motivator for the other players. On the pitch, you can see he is a natural leader and that confidence and determination rubs off on the other players. John is prepared to do anything for the club on the pitch. He doesn't mind getting hurt if he knows it is for the good of the team. That is the sort of passion you look for from your leader.

Key players: Lampard and Messi
I know Frank very well. He knows how to play in big games and, if Barcelona give him any space or time on the ball, then he will make them pay for that. I regard him as the best central midfield player in the world, because he is the most consistent goalscoring midfielder.

Lionel is the world's No 1 player at present. There is magic in his boots. Everything he touches at the moment seems to turn to gold, much like it did with Cristiano Ronaldo last season. Chelsea will study him, and prepare for him, but you can't prepare to play against a player such as Messi who doesn't even know what he is going to do himself!

The Verdict
People are talking about it being Barcelona's year and, with the way they are playing, that is understandable. But I know those boys at Chelsea and they will still be hurting from last year. It will be a tough game for Chelsea, but I think they can do it, and maybe go one better this year. There are a number of players who deserve it.

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