Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen said he has mixed feelings about facing his old teammates when the Spanish giants play Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League. "I was pleased when I saw that we were going to play against them," he said in an interview with Barcelona's official website. "I admit that it will be a bit strange to go back because I was there for so long." He is also unsure of how he will be received by Chelsea's fans at Stamford Bridge. "I hope that I am well received," said Gudjohnsen who spent six years with the Blues. "I have spoken about the respect that I have towards Chelsea. I was happy playing there and had a really good time while playing for the club. Also, in the last two seasons we enjoyed some success. Therefore, I would like to think that they will receive me well." The Icelandic striker said that the English team typically would prepare by studying their Spanish opponents before a game and then perform specific tactical training to counteract Barcelona's strengths. He added that he would like to offer the same sort of analytical insight for Barcelona regarding the match against Chelsea.
"Before the game, when it draws closer, I will be able to give information about the players and the tactics. But, after all, we are a great team and we have to play well, like we know we can, to win." Gudjohnsen has also braced himself for tough matching against German club Werder Bremen and Levski Sofia, the first Bulgarian club to ever qualify for the group stage of the Champions League. "It will not just be about the games against Chelsea, but also those against Werder and Levski. We have to play as well as we can in every match and if we win them all we will be fine." "The most important thing is to qualify and, if we can, to finish top of the group," he added. Gudjohnsen, who turns 28 on September 18th, is off to a strong start by scoring a late goal and securing Barcelona's 3-2 win against Celta Vigo in their Primera Liga opener. Regardless of his impact in the game, Gudjohnsen remained modest about his personal achievements and focused on the effect the win had on the complete team. "I always try my best and if you score then that always helps and even more so as a forward. What I am more interested in is that my goal helped the team and that it earned us three points." Gudjohnsen, who became Iceland's all-time top goal scorer on Saturday by netting his 17th international goal, said he is willing to play in any position to help Barcelona. "Wherever Rijkaard tells me is where I will play because that way I think my qualities stand out more. It depends on the needs of the team," he said.
