The Blues once again proved the nemesis of the team feted by many as the greatest to play the game thanks to an amazing smash-and-grab display in the semi-final first leg at a jubilant Stamford Bridge.

Interim boss Di Matteo’s plan paid off spectacularly, Didier Drogba scoring the winner to go some way to burying the demons of the sides’ last meeting three years ago.

As well as being magnificent to a man in carrying out the instructions of Di Matteo, Chelsea also enjoyed the kind of luck that deserted them in 2009 and which they have had in spades since the Italian took charge.

They may need plenty more at Camp Nou on Tuesday to reach their second final after Barca missed a glut of chances after dominating possession from start to finish.

The pattern of the match was set the moment the visitors kicked off, Chelsea allowing them possession and Raul Meireles leading the pressure behind Drogba.

From a defensive point of view, it largely worked, although the visitors should have taken one of the chances to have fallen their way.

Luck played a part in the first of them in the ninth minute, Alexis Sanchez chipping against the crossbar from Andres Iniesta’s perfectly-timed pass.

The other two both fell to Cesc Fabregas courtesy of Lionel Messi, who was otherwise restricted to a quiet half.

The first was a sitter, Fabregas failing to connect properly with his finish after Messi’s burst and pass had set up Andres Iniesta for a shot Petr Cech parried.

Messi finally had the chance to build up a real head of steam two minutes before half-time, Fabregas this time producing a delightful dink which was only kept out by Ashley Cole’s clearance off the line.

Otherwise Chelsea had plenty to give them hope from what little ball they had.

The benefit of going long was quickly demonstrated when only a heavy touch prevented Drogba capitalising on Cech’s clearance.

Drogba, who got away with overstepping the mark when he trod on Sergio Busquets’ foot, also failed to make the most of a one-on-one with Carles Puyol.

Long throws predictably unsettled Barca, too, and Gary Cahill almost took advantage of the first of them.

Chelsea did tread a fine line discipline-wise, with Meireles lucky not to pick up a booking that would see him suspended for the second leg.

“Same old Barca, always cheating,” chanted the home fans whenever a Barca player went down.

They were in good spirits despite the deluge, which may have played a part in Drogba scoring with the final kick of the first half.

Barca were caught upfield and Frank Lampard’s ball over the top sent Ramires rampaging forward, the Brazilian’s cross picking out Drogba.

Victor Valdes should have saved the scuffed finish but could only help it into the net.

Barca were even more dominant after the restart, Cech parrying Adriano’s curler before Sanchez missed another gilt-edge chance when he stabbed Fabregas’ scooped pass wide from six yards.

Otherwise they were being kept at bay by a world-class defensive display led by Cahill and John Terry, who were almost single-handedly keeping Messi quiet.

Pep Guardiola sent on Pedro for Sanchez with 24 minutes remaining, with Barca becoming increasingly frustrated, not least with perceived play-acting from Drogba, who got an earful from Puyol.

There was finally a booking when Ramires tripped Messi in full flight, Pedro quickly following for a similar offence on Cole.

Busquets was also cautioned for scything down Ramires after Juan Mata was withdrawn for Salomon Kalou.

Fabregas left the field to a chorus of boos for Thiago Alcantara as Chelsea began to drop deeper and deeper, as they had done three years earlier.

Barca laid siege to the Blues goal and Cech produced a magnificent save three minutes’ from time when Puyol glanced Messi’s free-kick towards the corner.

And, in stoppage-time, the visitors saved their worst finish until last, Busquets skying high over the crossbar after Pedro’s effort had hit the post.

Salomon Kalou

The revitalised forward believes the Premier League club can also take heart from the fact that the European champions are not top of La Liga.

Kalou scored the crucial away goal for Chelsea as they defeated Benfica 3-1 on aggregate to reach their sixth Champions League semi-final in nine years.

“Every team has its weaknesses,” said the Ivorian.

“They have their weakness, we know that we can play on that. We know that they haven’t been so confident at the back, conceding a lot of goals so that is something we can play on.

“Everyone forgets that [Real] Madrid are having a great season with Jose [Mourinho]. Right now, if we had played Madrid people would not talk that Chelsea has no chance because it’s Madrid. But because it’s Madrid, because they have [Lionel] Messi and all those players people are thinking that we can’t make it. The Chelsea players only know that this is one game and in one game everything can happen.

“At the end of the day, we have to face them [Barcelona], you have to play, it’s a football game and every game is possible. I think they are one of the best teams right now with the best player in the world. But it doesn’t leave room for us to not believe that we can beat them.

“Our fans expect us to win, we expect to win. People see the way Barcelona play today, they can say ‘Chelsea have no chance against Barcelona’ but, as a player for Chelsea, we work hard every day in training and we believe that on the pitch that is the only way of answering all those negative thoughts thinking that we can’t do anything.”

Asked about Messi, Kalou added: “He is the best player in the world, no doubts. You can’t have any discussion about that. We hope that in the two games against us, he won’t be the best player.

“I think this season was a difficult season for us. We are getting back together as a team, we are fighting as a team and I think that will be a great way of showing that Chelsea is still a good team.”

But after Mourinho suggested that his former side stand no chance of beating the reigning champions, Kalou insists Chelsea will not pay any attention to his comments.

“We can see Barcelona as a big competition of Chelsea,” the Ivorian observed.

“Chelsea is coming back to its top level and Barcelona being the best team in the world for the past couple of years. The only way we can show that we can also be a great team is to go on the pitch, work hard and try to beat them.

“We learn from the past. We know that if you give them the ball and give them the chance to play they will punish you. That’s a good thing to know. It’s still a difficult game but I still believe we can pull it through.”

The Catalan giants will face Chelsea in the semi-finals of European football’s elite competition, while Real Madrid face a tricky tie against Bayern Munich.

However, Ronaldo is confident that the two Spanish rivals will overcome their tough last-four encounters to reach the showpiece event, which is to be held at Bayern’s Allianz Arena on May 19.

“Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are both at a high level and it will be a hard-fought semi-final, but I believe Real will go through,” he is quoted as saying by ESPN Brazil.

“Spain is suffering an economic crisis but both teams [Madrid and Barcelona] are at a level much higher than the rest. The Champions League final will be between them.”

The former forward then moved on to speak positively of Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, who he believes will stay in the Spanish capital beyond the current campaign.

“He has a winning mentality and tremendous ability to forward in on to the players. He has a great Real Madrid team capable of winning everything. I think he will stay at Real. I do not think he will leave, not until he achieves all of his goals,” the 35-year-old concluded.

Ronaldo scored 47 goals in 49 appearances during a one-year spell at Barcelona, while netting 104 times in 177 games for Madrid, enjoying five seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Barcelona

Lionel Messi stole the headlines once again, with two penalties in the first half either side of an Antonio Nocerino strike, bringing him up to 14 Champions League goals for the season, a record for a single campaign.

Andres Iniesta sealed the victory early in the second half, as the home side progressed to the last four for a record fifth straight year at the expense of the Italian champions, who will be left feeling aggrieved after some refereeing decisions did not go their way.

With a 0-0 result from the first leg under their belts, Milan knew that a score draw would be enough to take them through. Barca coach Pep Guardiola had already suggested that a Rossoneri goal was inevitable, and clearly set up to counter such an eventuality, with his side, and Messi in particular, dictating the opening exchanges.

A blistering counterattack after only four minutes saw the Barca forward glide into the penalty area in the blink of an eye, but his finish was put straight into the grateful arms of Christian Abbiati.

Moments later and Messi was at it again, this time poking the wrong side of the post after being put clean through by a beautiful piece of combination play from Cesc Fabregas and Dani Alves.

The Argentine sprinted clear of the Milan back line once more in the 11th minute, but initially appeared to waste the chance with a square pass to Xavi. However, the ball was soon back at his feet, and Luca Antonini, so assured in the first leg, slid in far too rashly, conceding a penalty.

Messi himself stepped up to take the spot-kick and made no mistake, beating Abbiati with a low shot into the left corner to score a record 13th Champions League goal of the season and 50th of his career.

The Rossoneri were nowhere to be found, and with Guardiola’s men dominating possession and looking eminently at ease, the tie seemed to be heading to an inevitable conclusion.

However, out of nowhere, Milan were level just after half an hour. Robinho found Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the top of the box, who in turn slid in the unmarked Nocerino on the left for a low finish past Victor Valdes to put the visitors ahead on aggregate.

Milan were heading through as things stood thanks to their away goal, but could only hold onto their advantage for nine minutes. From a corner, a tug on the shirt of Sergio Busquets by Alessandro Nesta was spotted, and referee Bjorn Kuipers awarded Barca another penalty, much to the chagrin of the Rossoneri players, who protested vehemently to the match official.

Messi steadied himself once more from the spot, this time sending the ball into the right corner to put the home side back in front with a 2-1 aggregate lead at the end of the first half.

Despite a promising start to the second period from Milan, the Catalans were able to increase their advantage within eight minutes of the restart. Iniesta was perhaps fortunate to see a block by Philippe Mexes loop into his path, but did not hesitate, and stroked home from six yards out.

The Rossoneri were floored by the goal, with Barca playing comfortably on the back of a two-goal cushion. They nearly added another just past the hour mark, as Messi played in substitute Thiago Alcantara for a shot that was dragged just wide.

At this point, the sting was well and truly taken out of the game, with the fans inside Camp Nou already looking forward to a place in the last four. Further half-chances for Adriano and Messi were foiled, but it mattered little as the home side ran out comfortable winners in the end.

Barca now advance to their fifth consecutive Champions League semi-final, a tournament record, and will face the winner of the Chelsea-Benfica tie, with the first leg set for April 18.

Barcelona

Barca beat Bayer Leverkusen with a score of 7-1. The Catalan team goals were made by Lionel Messi and Tello in which Messi successfully scored five goals. Tello played well in that game and was able to score two goals.

Rarely included in Barca’s first team makes Tello’s future often questionable. Tello’s agent, Josep Maria Orobitg stated that many clubs are  attracted to Tello. The 20-year-old player’s contract with Barca will end in June 2013.

“I have been getting interest from clubs in England, Portugal, and other European countries,” said Orobitg.

“His future is unclear.”

Previously, Tello is often linked with two Premier League clubs Arsenal and Liverpool.

Goals:

25′ [1 - 0] L. Messi
42′ [2 - 0] L. Messi
49′ [3 - 0] L. Messi
55′ [4 - 0] C.H. Tello
58′ [5 - 0] L. Messi
62′ [6 - 0] C.H. Tello
84′ [7 - 0] L. Messi
90′ [7 - 1] K. Bellarabi

Barcelona

This results makes Barca remain in second place with 48 points, while Los Blancos are still at the top of the standings with 55 points. But Real Madrid has the opportunity to widen their point into 10 if they can beat Levante today.

Playing at the Reyno de Navarra Stadium, Osasuna scored early. Just four minutes of the game, a left foot shot was successfully released by Dejan Lecic to beat Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

Osasuna’s surprise continues. Receiving a pass from Alvaro Cejudo, Lecic again forced Valdes to pick up the ball from his net in the 22nd minute. The 2-0 score remained until the break, although Barca did a lot of attacking, they always failed to score.

Six minutes after the break, Barca finally managed to pull one back. Former Udinese star Alexis Sanchez scored after finishing a cross by Isaac Cuenca.

Osasuna did not need much time to recover, five minutes later Luis Mendilibar’s boys were able to find the net again. This time the goal was scored by Raul Garcia after receiving a through ball from Francisco Martinez.

Barca continued to launch their attacks, but tough defense and the food performance by Osasuna keeper Andres Fernandez, made life difficult for the catalans.

After constantly trying, Barcelona finally got their second of the night in the 73rd minute. This time the goal was scored by young player, Cristian Tello. Barca did score again through Linonel Messi in the 81st minute, but unfortunately the goal was disallowed for offside.

Osasuna’s 3-2 victory place them in seventh with poin31.

Goals:
16′ [1 - 0] C. Fabregas
81′ [2 - 0] X. Hernandez

Goals:
9′ [1 - 0] C.H. Tello
72′ [2 - 0] L. Messi
74′ [2 - 1] C. Vela

Barcelona

Goals from Cristian Tello and Lionel Messi had given the home side a 2-0 lead in the second half, but a well-taken goal from Carlos Vela in the latter stages of the game meant Pep Guardiola’s side endured a tense finish as Sociedad threw men forward in search of a draw.

Both sides missed opportunities in the opening exchanges, with first Bravo and then Victor Valdes being forced into making smart saves to keep out efforts from Lionel Messi and Diego Ifran respectively.

Tello broke the deadlock after nine minutes with a cool finish under Bravo after Messi had made amends for his earlier miss by playing a wonderfully weighted ball through to his younger team-mate.

The Sociedad keeper was again on hand to thwart Messi just minutes after Tello’s opener when he saved well from the Argentine after he had raced on to a neat Cesc Fabregas pass.

A combination of profligate finishing and good goalkeeping kept the score at just 1-0 in the first half.

Early in the second period another good save from Valdes stopped Antoine Griezmann from making the scores level after the Frenchman burst past Javier Mascherano.

The match became more competitive in the second period as Sociedad’s midfielder began to get on the ball more and create some goalscoring opportunities.

However Barcelona nearly went further ahead when Isaac Cuenca shot against the bar with an effort that Tello followed up on and struck an effort towards goal that would have made it 2-0 if Dani Alves had not got a touch from an offside position.

After missing a series of chances in the opening 70 minutes Messi eventually gave Barcelona a two-goal cushion with a well-taken half volley after a fine pass from Dani Alves.

However, Sociedad substitute Vela set up an exciting finale when he reduced the deficit just minutes later, slotting confidently under Valdes and into the back of the net after being found by a decent pass from Griezmann.

The home side withstood a series of late attacks from Sociedad to hold out for their win, but the joy at the three points will have been tarnished slightly by a potentially serious injury sustained by Sergio Busquets late on in the game.

Barcelona’s win cuts Real Madrid’s lead at the top of La Liga back to seven points while Guardiola’s choice of resting the likes of Alexis, Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique ensures his key players will be fresh ahead of their important Copa del Rey tie against Valencia on Wednesday. Sociedad remain in 13th place in La Liga following this defeat.  (Goal)