- Nov 4, 2005
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Chelsea could drop striker Nicolas Anelka back to the bench for their Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona on Wednesday.
Michael Ballack will return after being rested and Ashley Cole is back after being banned for the 0-0 first leg tie.
Barcelona's Thierry Henry sat out a training session on Monday with a knee problem and he is a doubt to recover in time to play at Stamford Bridge.
Barca are without the suspended Carles Puyol and the injured Rafael Marquez.
Uruguayan Martin Caceres could partner former Manchester United youngster Gerard Pique at the heart of Barca's defence.Coach Pep Guardiola's other options include playing left-back Eric Abidal or midfielder Yaya Toure at the back.
Chelsea are set to revert back to their favoured 4-3-3 formation after experimenting with 4-4-2 in the 3-1 home win over Fulham on Saturday.
The Blues are still without Portuguese duo Deco and Ricardo Carvalho, as they are both struggling with hamstring problems.
Alex tweaked a groin against Fulham on Saturday but he will recover in time to play, though Joe Cole and Paolo Ferreira will both miss the rest of the season.
Chelsea (from): Cech, Hilario, Belletti, Bosingwa, A Cole, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, Lampard, Obi, Ballack, Essien, Kalou, Malouda, Drogba, Anelka, Stoch, Di Santo, Mancienne.
Barcelona (from): Victor Valdes, Pinto, Jorquera, Victor Sanchez, Caceres, Pique, Daniel Alves, Abidal, Sylvinho, Busquets, Iniesta, Hleb, Keita, Toure, Xavi, Eto'o, Messi, Henry, Gudjohnsen, Krkic, Pedro.
It will be a lot closer than last night. I hope Pep goes with Abidal at CB over Caceres. If Henry doesn't make it i would play Iniesta in his position with Keita coming into the centre of midfield.
Michael Ballack will return after being rested and Ashley Cole is back after being banned for the 0-0 first leg tie.
Barcelona's Thierry Henry sat out a training session on Monday with a knee problem and he is a doubt to recover in time to play at Stamford Bridge.
Barca are without the suspended Carles Puyol and the injured Rafael Marquez.
Uruguayan Martin Caceres could partner former Manchester United youngster Gerard Pique at the heart of Barca's defence.Coach Pep Guardiola's other options include playing left-back Eric Abidal or midfielder Yaya Toure at the back.
Chelsea are set to revert back to their favoured 4-3-3 formation after experimenting with 4-4-2 in the 3-1 home win over Fulham on Saturday.
The Blues are still without Portuguese duo Deco and Ricardo Carvalho, as they are both struggling with hamstring problems.
Alex tweaked a groin against Fulham on Saturday but he will recover in time to play, though Joe Cole and Paolo Ferreira will both miss the rest of the season.
Chelsea (from): Cech, Hilario, Belletti, Bosingwa, A Cole, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, Lampard, Obi, Ballack, Essien, Kalou, Malouda, Drogba, Anelka, Stoch, Di Santo, Mancienne.
Barcelona (from): Victor Valdes, Pinto, Jorquera, Victor Sanchez, Caceres, Pique, Daniel Alves, Abidal, Sylvinho, Busquets, Iniesta, Hleb, Keita, Toure, Xavi, Eto'o, Messi, Henry, Gudjohnsen, Krkic, Pedro.
It will be a lot closer than last night. I hope Pep goes with Abidal at CB over Caceres. If Henry doesn't make it i would play Iniesta in his position with Keita coming into the centre of midfield.