Wednesday's encounter, fast, entertaining and skilful though it was, lacked the raw passion of the previous knockout meetings that had been full of drama and controversy.

Mourinho’s side created the best chance of the first half when, Michael Essien‘s pinpoint pass enabled Drogba to beat advancing keeper Victor Valdes - only for defender Rafael Marquez to squeeze the ball out for a corner from under the feet of Andriy Shevchenko.

After a bright start by Chelsea, Barcelona - who had not lost a Champions League game since they the 4-2 reverse at Stamford Bridge in the quarter-finals two seasons ago, began to boss the midfield with tight passing movements.

The English champions were often forced to play a counter-attacking game on their own ground.

Chelsea's third-choice keeper Hilario pulled off his first save in the 24th minute, coming off his line to block a shot from Lionel Messi. Messi caused the 30-year-old Portuguese debutant, standing in for the injured Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini, more problems minutes later after a fine passing move with Ronaldinho sent Xabi Hernandez free. But Hilario dived and got his fingers to the ball after it spun off his captain Jon Terry.

Perhaps boosted by the assurance of Hilario, Chelsea began the second period with more verve and aggression and were soon lifted by Drogba's brilliant goal. They should have had a second in the 58th minute after a fast break and interchange between Frank Lampard and Drogba, but Shevchenko's shot went wide.

Drogba, Essien and Shevchenko all had further chances as Chelsea piled forward into the spaces left as Barcelona pushed for the equaliser.
But although they won a succession of free kicks in dangerous positions, world player of the year Ronaldinho - who has been criticised in the Catalan media for a lack of conviction this season - failed to make them tell.