LONDON - Guus Hiddink has warned Chelsea they cannot afford "the slightest error" when they confront Barcelona in this week's Champions League semifinal decider.
The two teams played out a tense goalless draw in the first leg at the Nou Camp and, while Chelsea are widely deemed to be the
slight favourites ahead of Thursday's return at Stamford Bridge, their lack of an away goal means any mistake could prove fatal against the La Liga leaders, who later yesterday went on to trounce arch-rivals Real Madrid 6-2.
Chelsea warmed up for the meeting with Barca by beating Fulham 3-1 in yesterday's West London derby at Stamford Bridge.
But Hiddink was concerned at the defensive mistakes which saw the Cottagers cancel out Nicolas Anelka's first-minute opener through Erik Nevland and then create several other chances in the first half.
"You cannot afford to make the slightest error," Hiddink said. "I was not happy because we were sloppy in some positions and that's what I didn't like despite a good win."
Hiddink's refusal to ignore Chelsea's flakier moments was understandable, but there was also plenty to please the Dutchman.
Chelsea avoided major injuries, despite playing a near full-strength team - Alex, who was nursing a slight groin strain, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba were all substituted as precautions - and some of their attacking play was sublime.
Hiddink paired Anelka and Drogba in the first half, a tactic that paid handsome dividends as the Ivorian set up his French strike partner for the first goal then crossed for Florent Malouda to smash in the second in the 10th minute.
Anelka then turned provider for Drogba early in the second period as Chelsea wrapped up the points in style.
"When you are getting results as we have got you extend your aims and hopefully we can be in one or two finals...We have to take all our games very seriously."
- AAP
