Tough blow (2-2)

Didier Drogba struck in the 93rd minute to earn a draw from a game Barça had in their pocket. The home team's technical play came up against a strong Chelsea side in an intense encounter.

The Blaugrana's future in the Champions League are still in their hands, but the game against the Blues was a real blow. Frank Rijkaard's team were organised and powerful all over, but they came up against a side that, while playing well, played to the limits. Deco and Eidur Gudjohnsen netted either side of the break for Barça, while Frank Lampard and Drogba scored for the visitors in the second period.

Flying start

Barcelona made a flying start as Deco fired in the opening goal after just three minutes. The Portuguese midfielder stole the ball off Khalid Boulharouz and then cut in from the left, as Ronaldinho drew the defence, before hammering a shot past Hilário and into the far corner of the net from the edge of the area. It was an incredible opening to the encounter for the home team as they caught Chelsea cold.

Cheered on by their fans, Barça enjoyed the spaces offered by the large Camp Nou pitch and used it to produce their quick passing game. Deco, Xavi, Ronaldinho and Leo Messi were all at their best as the majority of the Blaugrana's attacking movement went through them. In the eighth minute Messi and Gianluca Zambrotta combined before the Argentinian sent a low cross in the area where Ronaldinho connected, but saw his effort sail over the bar. Xavi then broke through the middle and fired goalwards only to see Hilário make a fine save to tip the ball away for a corner.

Tension

In the midfield, the Blues were favoured by the ongoing tussle between Drogba and Thiago Motta as the pair clashed during the first half. The incidents only served to break up the play and disrupt Barça's early control of the match. It was during these interruptions for free-kicks that the Blues' best early chances arrived, like when Michael Ballack took aim and shot over in the 17th minute.

The temperature inside Camp Nou increased as both sides proved that they were up for what has now become one of the classic encounters in European football. The referee was called upon on several occasions to speak with players from both sides as the physical side came to the fore. Barça looked slightly disconcerted by the breaks in play and Chelsea took advantage to test Víctor Valdés with two chances. The first saw Michael Essien connect with a Drogba centre, but his header was tipped over by the Catalan keeper before Arjen Robben saw his drive turned away with another excellent stop.

Tactical battle

The second half started like the first ended, with the referee's whistle taking prominence. The visitors had the first clear opportunity as Robben met Essien's cross, but once again Valdés prevented the Dutchman from scoring with a superb save. Within seven minutes of the restart Chelsea's early pressure paid off when Lampard turned on the by-line and lobbed the ball back over the keeper and into the net off the far post to draw his side level.

Rijkaard took immediate action in a bid to win back the midfield and replaced Motta with Edmílson. The Brazilian's first touch showed what he is capable of as he produced a 40-yard pass that Ronaldinho controlled before rounding Boulharouz and lacing the ball into the area where Gudjohnsen side-footed Barça back into the lead with 58 minutes on the clock.

Unfortunate end

With the home team back in front the onus was on Mourinho's side to attack and risk leaving space at the back. As a result, Boulharouz was substituted for Joe Cole. In reaction, Rijkaard introduced Ludovic Giuly and Andrés Iniesta as the tactical battle continued. There were few signs that the Blaugrana would let their lead slip as Messi, Deco, Giuly and Ronaldinho all continued to probe for a third goal. Instead, it was Chelsea that struck. In the 93rd minute Essien lifted the ball into the area where John Terry nodded across to Drogba and the striker chested past Márquez before slotting in the equaliser. The disbelief in the stadium among the home fans was clear, but it is not over. Barça cannot finish first, but qualification is still in their own hands.

Contrasting statistics

Barça welcome Chelsea safe in the knowledge that the Londoners have never won at the Camp Nou. But Mourinho's side has not lost in 12 matches.

History generally favours Barcelona going into Tuesday night's game. Barça have won four out of five matches between the two clubs in the Catalan capital. From the 1965/66 Fairs Cup meeting to the Champions League second round match last season, Barça have scored 15 goals to Chelsea's meagre 3.

These include a 5-1 drubbing in the 99/00 Champions League quarter finals, the heaviest defeat the Blues have ever suffered in the competition.

12 match unbeaten run

But more recent events indicate that the Premiership leaders are not a team to be taken lightly. They are on tremendous form after going unbeaten on all fronts for 12 matches. They have not lost since going down 2-1 to Middlesbrough on August 23.

6 consecutive away wins

And that streak includes no less than six wins in a row on the road, starting with a 2-0 win at Blackburn Rovers on August 27 and including a convincing 3-1 win at Levski Sofia in the Champions league. 31 games have gone by since Chelsea last lost by more than one goal.