FC Barcelona-Chelsea: Pressure on Barça, says Ballack

Chelsea FC midfielder Michael Ballack says the pressure will be on FC Barcelona when the two sides meet at Camp Nou in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. 'Tough time'Chelsea defeated the European champions 1-0 a fortnight ago to claim poll position in Group A and leave Barça facing a real battle to qualify for the knockout stage. "With nine points out of three matches, we have every chance of finishing top in our group," Ballack told uefa.com. "Looking at the standings, Barcelona will have a tough time, because [Werder] Bremen have also got four points. 'Pressure'"Barcelona, though, are certainly the favourites in their next two home games against Chelsea and Bremen particularly as they also lost against Real Madrid [CF] and have something to prove. As for us, we can wait and see. The pressure on us is much less as we beat Barcelona in the first leg. Now the pressure is on them and it will be hard for them to reach the next stage."'Good football'Didier Drogba scored the winner at Stamford Bridge on Matchday 3 and Ballack feels that result has given a "real boost" as the group stage reaches its climax. "Defeating Barcelona was vital and has given our confidence a real boost, especially as we played such good football. We were highly concentrated and it was a great game to watch. Every season you have two or three very special matches and this one against Barcelona was one of them. If you win such a crucial clash, the boost is tremendous." Title chancesBallack scored his second Premiership goal since signing from FC Bayern München in Chelsea's 2-0 win against Sheffield United FC on Saturday, and the English champions are in excellent form as they chase their third straight title. The Germany captain, however, would not be drawn on his side's chances of capturing the crown the London side so covet. 'Career goals'"Barcelona, Lyon, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Milan and Real Madrid are the big favourites for the title," he said. "There are always six or seven teams who can win the Champions League, and let's not forget Bayern München. You must never strike them off your list. There's still a long way to go. It would be great to get to the Champions League final and win the title with Chelsea. Winning the Champions League is one of my biggest career goals." ©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.