Smash and grab action in showdowns

CHELSEA and Barcelona renew hostilities in the Champions League last 16 today in what has become a European classic in five tempestuous meetings shrouded in controversy.

Here we take a look back at some of the previous knockout ties between the English champions and Catalan giants in the Champions League.

Chelsea’s first foray into the quarterfinals in 2000 got off to a flying start as Gianfranco Zola and a Tore Andre Flo double put the hosts 3-0 up inside 38 minutes of the first leg.

However, Luis Figo grabbed a vital away goal after the break to set up a Barca second leg fightback.

Rivaldo and Figo struck before half-time at the Camp Nou to give Barca the advantage on away goals before Flo restored Chelsea’s aggregate lead.

Pep Guardiola provided the cross from which Dani Garcia’s header took the game to extra-time.

Rivaldo’s penalty edged Barca ahead before Patrick Kluivert capped the comeback with Barca’s fifth.

The presence of former Barca assistant Jose Mourinho as Chelsea boss took the rivalry to new heights in 2005.

Mourinho was furious with Swedish referee Anders Frisk after he sent-off Didier Drogba with Chelsea leading 1-0 at the Camp Nou in the first leg.

Barca came back against the 10 men to win 2-1 on the night, but were blown away by another fast Chelsea start at the Bridge.

Eidur Gudjohnsen, Frank Lampard and Damien Duff put the Blues 3-0 up inside 20 minutes before Ronaldinho, firstly from the penalty spot, and then with a stunning outside of the foot strike from outside the box nudged Barca ahead on away goals.

However, John Terry’s header 14 minutes from time won the tie, with this time Barca complaining of a foul on goalkeeper Victor Valdes by Ricardo Carvalho.

Lionel Messi started just one knockout game on Barca’s run to winning the Champions League in 2006. Unfortunately, for Chelsea the Argentine was still decisive.

Asier del Horno saw red for hacking down an 18-year-old Messi before half-time in the first leg.

Barca made the man advantage count through a Terry own goal and Samuel Eto’o in a 2-1 win.

Ronaldinho then sealed the tie back at the Camp Nou before Lampard’s late penalty.

The most controversial of all the clashes came in 2009 when Chelsea saw four strong penalty appeals waived away by Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo before being hit by a late sucker punch.

After a forgettable 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou, Chelsea went in front in spectacular fashion through Michael Essien’s volley. —