Michael Ballack knows what Barcelona will be going through as they have to prepare for the game against Real Madrid and then be ready again four days later to face Chelsea.
The German midfielder reflected on the Blues’ having no time to rest players when they played Liverpool ahead of the 2006-07 semi final and hopes the Blaugrana will be tired.
Chelsea held Barca to a goalless draw in Stamford Bridge, but Ballack brushed off the criticism coming from the Catalan side to predict that the visitors to London will have their work cut out next week.
“We know they have a really difficult game against Real Madrid before they play us again,” The London Evening Standard quote him as saying.
“If you see what has happened to them in the last week and what they face next week, it is really difficult for them. They can win a lot but they can also lose a lot.
“We had this problem ourselves a couple of years ago against Liverpool when they rested eight players. Now we have to look at ourselves. The League is very difficult for us to get back on top so we are focused on the Champions League.
“We don’t just want to reach the final, we want to win it. You could see by the team spirit we showed that everyone wants to get to the final again.â€Â
Lucas Brown, Goal.com