Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has warned his team mates to be steely in defence when they travel to Barcelona for next week’s Champions League semi final first-leg.
The Blues warmed up for their Spanish inquisition with a 1-0 win at West Ham in The Premier League but their last Champions League action saw a 4-4 draw against Liverpool.
The La Liga leaders do not need a second invitation to score goals with Lionel Messi pulling the strings as Anelka hopes for a watertight display in Catalonia.
“Against a team like Barcelona and the players they have, if we concede early goals it will be very difficult to come back, especially away from home, so as a team we will certainly have to be more focused on the defensive side of our game,” Anelka said.
“It is important to get a good result in the first match. If you lose that one by a big score the tie is almost finished.
“So it is very important for us to get something from the Nou Camp.
"If you want to win this trophy you know you will have to be able to beat a lot of very good teams.
"We have already beaten Juventus and Liverpool, who are both big sides, we know we can do it, so now we have to beat Barcelona."