Long spells of Barcelona possession on Tuesday night, April 28 failed to breech the Blues defence. Chelsea, who failed to display attractive football at any one level, were however painfully efficient. It was a good result, against a massive opposition and a spirited defensive display by the Blues that gave them something to fight for in the return leg at Stamford Bridge.
 
It would have been better to obtain a 1-1 rather than 0-0 draw in such a vital away match, as that away goal is crucial, but Chelsea will have to do without it. This is exactly what Barcelona will want to exploit now. They are aware that in the next meeting, the Londoners can’t mass men behind the ball, they must open up and produce a football game. It is then, that the Spaniards can strike on the counteroffensive and come up with that away goal.
 
The visitors had spent the better part of 90 minutes well dug in the trenches at Camp Nou. The Spanish league leaders produced a game with flawless rhythm, good speed, envious passing and enjoyed swathes of possession, but the brutal truth is, they didn’t really create decent opportunities until the very end of the match.
 
Former Arsenal striker, Thierry Henry forced a decent save out of Petr Cech and then Bojan produced a header from just outside the goal line which the Blue keeper managed to save. Henry had another attempt on goal from the right side of the penalty area, before Cech stopped a dangerous Alex Hleb effort.
 
Guus Hiddink and his men will be disappointed at not being able to materialise the two opportunities that presented themselves, with Didier Drogba nearly scoring a goal but his effort ultimately being foiled by Victor Valdes, while Michael Ballack headed just over the crossbar.
 
The Blues supporters will be delighted with their side's defensive fortitude in keeping a clean sheet - a feat not achieved by any visiting side at Barca this season in the Champions League tournament.
 
It was well past the regular 90 minutes of play and deep into extra time when Barcelona produced some of their best chances – and squandered them. Firstly, Bojan, on for Henry, superbly headed a precision Alves cross over from point-blank range, before fellow substitute Alex Hleb was foiled by a fine Cech save.
 
Hiddink insisted before the encounter that he wished his side to get away from the proceedings with a good result and most importantly, an away goal, but he will be delighted nevertheless with their spirited performance.
 
"We are pleased with the result," said Dutchman Hiddink, as quoted by the BBC.
 
"When you look at the short history of Barca and what their results have been and the score here, it's quite an achievement against a beautiful team."
 
"We must play better when we are in possession," he said. "We can play better, although it is also due to the opponents who do not let you play that easily.
 
Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Marquez (Puyol 52), Pique, Abidal, Xavi, Toure Yaya, Iniesta, Messi, Eto'o (Bojan 82), Henry (Hleb 87)..
 
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Bosingwa, Mikel, Ballack (Anelka 90), Essien, Lampard (Belletti 71), Malouda, Drogba.
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