The mind games between Barcelona and Chelsea have begun ahead of the meeting between the two clubs in the semi-final of the Champions League, as Barcelona defender Dani Alves has said that it was the lack of courage within Chelsea that was the reason for their elimination from the highly controversial 2009 Champions League.

A stoppage time goal from Iniesta enabled Barcelona to go into the final at the expense of Chelsea on away goals, but the London club were clearly denied at least four good penalty shouts. However, Dani Alves has said that Barcelona players can do nothing about the refereeing decisions, but they managed to go to the next round because of their will to win.

Past memories will be evoked when the two teams face each other in the semi-final of the Champions League. The first leg will be at Stamford Bridge, which was the location of the ugly scenes between Barcelona and Chelsea three years ago. Chelsea come into the match on the back five successive undefeated matches against Barcelona, and might be worth a champions league bet.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Barcelona managed to qualify for the final of the 2009 Champions League after the stoppage time goal from Iniesta cancelled out the Michael Essien goal early in the first half. The first leg between the two clubs finished 0-0 that time around.

"People say Chelsea could have won but for the referee but that is not our problem. We do not control the referees. We are there to play football, to compete and to try to reach the final. What can we do about the referee? Chelsea did not reach the final because of fear. The team that has got a man more, is playing at home and winning should have attacked us more," Alves said ahead of the meeting between the two clubs at Stamford Bridge.