Frank Lampard admits Chelsea's chances of overcoming Barcelona in the Champions League could rest on keeping 11 men on the pitch.
Midfielder knows Blues cannot afford any red cards against Barca
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard admits his side's chances of overcoming Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals could rest on keeping 11 men on the pitch.
The Blues' three defeats to Barca in the 10 encounters since 2000 have all been suffered after they had someone sent off.
Midfielder Lampard, who played in two of those matches, acknowledged Chelsea can ill afford to lose a player in Wednesday's clash or next Tuesday's second leg if they are going to shock the European champions.
Discipline
"Discipline is a huge fact at this level," he said. "To play a man down against Barcelona is very tough.
"We have to tackle and close space, but we've got a good discipline in our team. Keeping 11 on the pitch is crucial."
Barcelona come into the match on the back of an impressive run of form which has helped them haul themselves back into the Primera Division title race with once runaway leaders Real Madrid.
Lionel Messi has bagged a simply astounding 63 goals for the Spaniards, and with a midfield blessed with the likes of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas, it is easy to see why many see this Barcelona team as the greatest of all time.
Lampard has warned Chelsea that they must not sit back against the four-time European champions, however, and revealed that the Blues intend to attack and hound their opponents from the off in Wednesday's semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge.
"I think it's imperative to play a pressing game," he said.
"There's no way you can be passive against them, whether you push or defend deep. We'll have a game plan to attack them and it's important to have a sense of urgency in your defenders.
"If you give Xavi and Iniesta time they'll hurt you. We have to pressure them in all areas of the pitch."
Three years ago Chelsea were on the brink of beating Barcelona to secure what would have been only their second Champions League final appearance, but Iniesta's last-gasp strike cruelly ended the club's hopes at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have made the semi-finals of the competition six times in the last nine years, but have only progressed to the final once in 2008 when they lost to Manchester United on penalties in Moscow.
Disappointing
Lampard admits failing to win the biggest competition in Europe after coming so close on a number of occasions is the one of the biggest disappointments of his 12-season spell at Stamford Bridge.
The 33-year-old added: "It's disappointing to have reached so many semis and a final and not won it. It is the greatest competition in world football.
"Some of my worst moments in football have been losing semi-finals, the Barcelona game probably more than ever given the circumstances.
"But you have to take it and bounce back. We hope the Champions League will one day come to us and we'll win it."
