Barcelona played a goalless draw against a resilient Chelsea side in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg at Nou Camp on Tuesday. Despite maintaining possession for most of the game, Barcelona couldn't break the solid defence masterminded by Blues boss Guus Hiddink. Drogba started for Chelsea as a lone striker in front of a five-man midfield that included Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard, Jon Obi Mikel and Florent Malouda and Mikael Essien. Josep Guardiola opted to bench skipper Carles Puyol, in fear that he might collect a second caution and miss the second leg. Rafael Marquez took the defender's place. Guus Tactics Guus Hiddink's defensive tactic paid dividends as the Dutch tactician managed to keep the mighty Barcelona attack at bay for most of the first half. Superstar Lionel Messi was tightly marked by Jose Bosingwa, who was playing at left-back in the absence of the suspended Ashley Cole. Aware of the Argentine's ability to lose his marker, Hiddink was keen on following the playmaker with one or two defenders whenever he ran across the Chelsea backline. The best chance of the half fell to Drogba after Marquez's error gifted the Ivorian a golden opportunity but the striker shot straight at the Victor Valdes. Unlucky Barca
Messi was halted by Chelsea's defence In the second half, Barcelona were forced to bring on Puyol, after Marquez awkwardly collapsed in the middle of the pitch with what seemed to be a knee injury In the 62nd minute Daniel Alves galloped his way past the Chelsea defence before Petr Cech saved the Brazilian's resulting effort. One minute later, Eto'o ended a courageous run from the centre of the court with a low shot under pressure that was saved once again by the Czech keeper. On 74 minutes, the referee waved away Barca's calls for a penalty kick after Henry was pulled down by Bosingwa. TV replays showed that the Frenchman had a strong case. The hosts' frustration grew more as Puyol was cautioned moments later, putting Guardiola in a selection dilemma ahead of the second leg. Late Chances Chelsea replaced Lampard with Juliano Belletti, as Hiddink looked content to end the first leg with an away draw. However, Barcelona could have still notched a goal through substitutes Bojan Krkic and Alexandre Hleb. In the first minute of injury time Bojan bizarrely headed a pinpoint Alves cross over the Chelsea bar. A minute later, Hleb was released through by an Andres Iniesta pass, but the Byelorussian's shot was scraped by Cech's legs.
