Hiddink wants intelligence and emotion from players

Chelsea’s interim coach Guus Hiddink has called on his players to overcome Barcelona with a combination of “intelligence and emotion” in their Champions League showdown at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

Chelsea’s faultless defensive display in the Nou Camp stadium last week nullified a Barcelona attack that has shared 90 goals between them this season.

Hiddink’s heroes ensured Barcelona failed to score at home for the first time this season and the goalless draw gives Chelsea a slight advantage going into the return leg of the semi-final.

Now, according to the Daily Express, the Dutch coach is confident Chelsea can reach their second successive final by beating a Barca side boosted by their 6-2 demolition of Real Madrid in La Liga over the weekend.

He said, “You have to play very intelligently against the top team in Europe now as the slightest error will be punished. On the other hand, you must not play without any emotion. If you do, it might put the brakes on your own performance. If you can combine both, you have a very good game.”

Chelsea are driven by a collective desire to reach the final for the second year running in order to finally erase the heartache of their defeat to Manchester United on penalties in Moscow last season.