Chelsea have suffered a big blow ahead of the Champions League match against FC Barcelona following confirmation that Chelsea defender William Gallas has been ruled out of the match with a hamstring injury.

Chelsea´s defend did not make the best impression in recent weeks and Jose Mourinho was counting on the reliable service of Gallas who played an important part of his back defence line during this season. This is a major blow to Jose Mourinho´s plan to stop Ronaldinho at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea coach will now hope that Gallas will be fit for the return clash at Camp Nou in 14 days time.


Meanwhile Claude Makelele will probably be fit in time for selection against the Catalan giants.


Frank Rijkaard is convinced that his players can turn win the match at Stamford Bridge:

"We have the resources to beat Chelsea. Their style is predictable but at the same time consistent and strong but I have a lot of confidence in my players. Now its about demonstrating that were strong as a team”

said the coach on FC Barcelona´s official website.


The Barça coach can count on the services of Mexican Rafael Márquez and midfielder Thiago Motta again. Both are available for the match, much to the delight of the Dutch coach:

"It's important Márquez can be with us as he's playing splendidly. At the same time I'm happy to have Motta because he could play an important role”.

Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri is full of praise for Lionel Messi and warns his old team to be fully aware of the fast and technical skilled midfielder on Wednesday night. Ranieri thinks that Barça have an awesome attacking trio in Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o and the new wizzkid Leo Messi:

"Everybody knows Ronaldinho, maybe not everybody knows Messi. Messi is fantastic. Only 18 years old, with the ball at his feet, he's unbelievable. He runs, changes direction and now he is even starting to score a lot of goals.