Top 10 Chelsea-Barca

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Ahead of Chelsea's UEFA Champions League semi-final clash with Barcelona, Sky Sports explores a number of links between the two European heavyweights.

When the draw for the second round and quarter-final stage of the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League was made, it was almost inevitable that Chelsea and Barcelona would end up locking horns in the last eight.

Here are two clubs who have crossed paths on numerous occasions in recent years, and meetings between the two have a habit of producing fireworks.

The cream of the crop from West London and Catalunya have not always seen eye to eye, but there is plenty to tie these two European heavyweights together.

Whether it be players who have turned out for both clubs, epic European encounters or coaches who have graced Stamford Bridge and Camp Nou, Chelsea and Barcelona are connected in various ways.

Here, we at Sky Sports take a look at a few of the more notable links.

Special One

Only one place to start. The self-proclaimed 'Special One' cut his coaching teeth during a spell under Bobby Robson's wing at Camp Nou, before going on to work alongside Louis van Gaal. A coaching career destined for the very top would later take him to Chelsea, where he won two Premier League titles, two League Cups, one FA Cup and a Community Shield.

El Tel

Affectionately known as El Tel to those of a Catalan persuasion, Venables lifted the Primera Liga title with Barcelona in 1984/85. All in all he spent three years at Camp Nou, during which time he also tasted Spanish League Cup success. Some 20 years prior to his spell in Spain, a six-year stint with Chelsea during his playing days means he is also something of a fans' favourite at the Bridge.

Euro exit

Chelsea's first Champions League meeting with Barcelona saw them square off in the last-eight back in 2000. A 3-1 first-leg victory seemingly had the Blues in complete control of the tie, but a forgettable night on the road saw them lose 5-1 and 6-4 on aggregate. Celestine Babayaro saw red at Camp Nou as the Blues suffered extra-time heartache.

Mourinho rant

Much of the bad blood between Chelsea and Barca can be traced back to 2005, when Jose Mourinho claimed that Frank Rijkaard had met with referee Anders Frisk during the half-time interval of a last-16 tie. Frisk ended up hanging up his whistle in the wake of a heated encounter and Mourinho was branded 'an enemy of football' by UEFA's referees' chief and handed a two-match touchline ban.

Red mist

A year on and the two sides met in the last-16 once again. A 2-1 victory for the visitors at Stamford Bridge is best remembered for Lionel Messi's theatrical reaction to a challenge from Asier Del Horno which saw the Blues defender sent-off and an unsightly melee sparked - yet more controversial refereeing and further cause for Mourinho's blood to boil.

Reffing hell

It is fair to say that Chelsea were less than impressed by the performance of referee Tom Henning Ovrebo as they bowed out of Europe in 2009 on away goals. The Blues felt a number of contentious decisions cost them a place in back-to-back finals and Michael Ballack ended up chasing the Norwegian official the length of the field, Didier Drogba started swearing into a television camera and Jose Bosingwa called Ovrebo 'a thief'.

Special strike

Barcelona may have crashed out of the Champions League at Stamford Bridge in 2005, but an epic encounter saw Ronaldinho net a spectacular brace. His second of the night saw him bend the ball into the bottom corner with the outside of his boot, leaving Petr Cech stranded. There appeared to be little on as he collected the ball on the edge of the box but, from a standing start, one flash of his right boot had those in attendance on their feet in recognition of a truly fantastic strike.

Lamps leveller

Drogba's late equaliser may have salvaged a 2-2 draw for Chelsea at Camp Nou in 2006, allowing them to top Group A, but it was Frank Lampard's earlier leveller that lit up the evening. Having escaped into space, the England international somehow spun on the by-line and floated the ball over Victor Valdes' head from an impossible angle. Was it a cross? Was it a shot? It does not really matter because the end result saw the ball nestling in the back of the net.

The Ice man

An all-round good guy who is fondly remembered at Stamford Bridge and at Camp Nou. Gudjohnsen spent six successful years with Chelsea, making over 260 appearances for the club and getting his hands on two Premier League titles. He packed his bags for Barcelona in 2006 and went on to taste domestic and European glory during his three years in Catalunya.

Best of the rest

A number of players have turned out for both clubs down the years, with Mark Hughes, Deco, Emmanuel Petit, Bolo Zenden, Juliano Belletti and Albert Ferrer among the more memorable, and Winston Bogarde the most forgettable.

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