However the Spanish champions appear to be feeling so confident ahead of what should be another high-tension cruncher they have taken a leaf out of Jose Mourinho's book on pre-match psychology.

With a place in the quarterfinals at stake what most observers would have preferred to be the final sees Chelsea arrive in the Catalan lions' den needing to walk away from the Nou Camp with at least a two-goal advantage.

"They've got to go for a two-goal win so they can't come here and defend," observed Barca's Portuguese international Deco, who lifted the trophy with FC Porto when Mourinho was in charge.

Their first leg match was a highly-charged affair, and on their arrival here Sunday Mourinho and his players were given a hostile reception by angry fans at the airport.

The sending off of Chelsea's Spanish international fullback Asier Del Horno for fouling Argentine prodigy Leo Messi, considered 'the new Maradona', has added a certain piquancy to the encounter -- as if the sending off of Didier Drogba in last year's meeting in Spain had not already turned up the heat.

Barca were already in revenge mode having come off worst a year ago over two pulsating games.

Add to that potent mix the weekend dismissal of Chelsea's flying Dutchman, Arjen Robben, in the narrow win at West Bromwich Albion -- which left Mourinho apoplectic -- and there's no telling whether events on or off the pitch will grab the most headlines.

Messi's likely return -- he was rested in the weekend win over Deportivo La Coruna -- will not lead to handshakes all around, if only because Del Horno is suspended.

Mourinho branded the teenage wizard an "actor" after the clash with Del Horno but first leg referee Terje Hauge said he was satisfied with the sending-off decision.

Chelsea's progress may depend on whether their own trump card returns in the shape of midfield talisman Frank Lampard.

Lampard, second only to Ronaldinho in the 2005 FIFA world player of the year awards in December, missed the West Brom match and England's midweek friendly win over Uruguay with a hamstring injury but hopes to risk a return Tuesday with Portugal star Maniche waiting in the wings.

French destroyer Claude Makalele should also be fit, despite suffering a bruised right ankle Saturday but Michael Essien is suspended.

Even nominally independent observers such as West Bromwich boss Bryan Robson have entered the increasing war of words on Chelsea's perceived gamesmanship.

After Robben was red-carded for a two-footed lunge at Jonathan Greening at the weekend, Robson accused Ivorian striker Didier Drogba as a diver.

Former Chelsea star John Hollins chipped in, describing Drogba as "disgraceful" for trying to get Greening sent off after performing a theatrical dive.

With Del Horno out Frenchman William Gallas, now recovered from hamstring trouble, is likely to step into the breach for the biggest game of Chelsea's season to date.

A factor possibly in Barca's favour is their newly-relaid pitch which will be a stark contrast to the quagmire they encountered in London.

In a psychological stunt which might almost have come out of the Mourinho guidebook on how to wind up an opponent, Barcelona's city centre buses will feature posters showing reports of the day Barca won their only European Cup to date 14 years ago.

The venue was Wembley Stadium, and on the evidence of their last trip to the British capital Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard is ready to deliver the "blaugrana" (blue and claret) another title just as compatriots Ronald Koeman, the 1992 scorer, and then coach Johan Cruyff pulled off the feat in their day.