Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel “We just have to win the first leg at home while keeping a clean sheet and then go to Barcelona to wrap it up. We have top quality players who can make this happen," was how John Mikel Obi summed up Chelsea’s semi final pairing with defending champions, Barcelona.
The Super Eagles midfielder who is gradually regaining his form after immediate past manager, Andre Villa-Boas froze him out of Chelsea’s starting line-up, however also have vengeance on his mind as the Blues lay ambush for the Catalonians at Stamford Bridge.
Three seasons ago, Barcelona dumped Chelsea at the same stage of the competition in the 2008/09 season on the away goals’ rule after they drew 1-1 in very controversial circumstances in London following a goalless draw at the Camp Nou.
But Mikel who played the full duration in both legs of the quarterfinals against Portugal’s Benfica as Chelsea won 3-1 on aggregate after winning their first game in Lisbon 1-0 believes that this semi final clash will be different.
"We know we are coming up against the best player in the world, the greatest player ever. We are playing the best team in the world right now but going into the match as underdogs might just make them play into our hands," observed the former Lyn Oslo player.
“We have played them a few times and we know what we have to do. Hopefully our physicality will see us through'', Mikel told UEFA.com in a no hold barred chat yesterday.
He, however, admitted that reaching the semis was a plus for Chelsea who are way away from the Premiership title that has become a two-way fight between Manchester United and their city rivals, Manchester City. "We are relieved to reach the semi-finals as it was not easy to beat a very good Benfica team.”
“We have played them a few times and we know what we have to do. Hopefully our physicality will see us through'', Mikel told UEFA.com in a no hold barred chat yesterday.
He, however, admitted that reaching the semis was a plus for Chelsea who are way away from the Premiership title that has become a two-way fight between Manchester United and their city rivals, Manchester City. "We are relieved to reach the semi-finals as it was not easy to beat a very good Benfica team.”
As one of two defensive midfielders in the system now favoured by interim manager Roberto Di Matteo, Mikel knows he will be in for a busy night, both at Stamford Bridge on April 18 and at Camp Nou six days later.
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