Ballack: Blues want revenge

Michael Ballack admits Chelsea will be out for revenge when they play Barcelona.

The two European giants have enjoyed a tempestuous relationship over the past two seasons after consecutive meetings in the last 16 of Europe's premier competition.

Mouths were watering all over the continent when Jose Mourinho and Frank Rijkaard were pitted against each other once more in this season's group stage, and the first showdown takes place at Stamford Bridge next week.

Barca have already accused The Blues of manipulating their pitch to negate the Catalans' passing style - mirroring similar concerns last season - and the stage is set for another epic encounter in what is a rapidly growing rivalry.

Although Ballack was not a Chelsea player when they crashed out of the competition to Rijkaard's side last season, the German captain is well aware that The Blues are out to avenge last season's exit as they aim to bring Roman Abramovich his first European Cup triumph.

"Thoughts of revenge on Chelsea's part? Absolutely. I only hope we can do it well," Ballack told El Mundo Deportivo.

"I didn't experience the previous encounters from within the team so I can't say whether they weigh upon the players' minds or not.

"Purely in terms of passion and world impact, however, you can't get bigger than a match between Chelsea and Barcelona."

Chelsea have been accused of not being at their best so far this season despite sitting joint top of The Premiership, and Ballack believes the game against the reigning European champions will give a keen indicator of how Mourinho's new faces are settling in.

"Against Barca we'll see if we are lacking in rhythm and whether we are a unit yet," Ballack added.

"Any new player has to learn how to adapt to a new team and it is especially hard at Chelsea where every player is top class. It is nothing more than that."

Attentions are now switching back to the domestic game after a busy week of international football, but German captain Ballack has been keen to ensure that his countrymen do not suffer from complacency.

Joachim Low's side have won their first three games in Group D, with the latest victory coming with a 4-1 result in Slovakia, and Ballack - who scored on Wednesday night - has reminded his colleagues that there is still a long road to negotiate in order to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland.

"It's a long qualification campaign with seven teams and we started very well, but we shouldn't underestimate the other team and must take them seriously," Ballack warned.

"It's great fun to play in the team, we used our chances against the Slovaks and the fresh players settled in very well."