Sparks set to fly as Barca welcome Chelsea

LONDON, March 7 (Reuters) Forget the Oscars, Barcelona's high-octane Champions League clash with Chelsea at the Nou Camp today should provide all the ingredients for an epic Hollywood drama.

Barca won't be rolling out the red carpet for Jose Mourinho and his players after a controversial first-leg two weeks ago when Chelsea defender Asier Del Horno's sending-off overshadowed the Spanish side's 2-1 win.

Del Horno was red-carded at Stamford Bridge for a hefty challenge on Argentine Lionel Messi, prompting Mourinho to remark that the Barcelona forward had indulged in theatrics.

Mourinho was given a hostile reception on arrival in Barcelona on Sunday and, with Chelsea needing to win and score at least twice to progress to the last eight, the pressure is on the English champions.

''If anyone is capable of doing it it is our squad of players,'' said Chelsea's England midfielder Joe Cole.

''This is when it counts... we have more or less a fit squad and we'll be ready to go.'' Their England midfielder Frank Lampard completed a training session on Monday and is in line to start the match having been doubtful with a hamstring injury.

Serie A leaders Juventus hope strikers David Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be passed fit as the Italian side seek to turn around a dramatic 3-2 first leg loss to Werder Bremen.

If neither recovers in time, Juve's attack will be led by Alessandro Del Piero and Uruguayan Marcelo Zalayeta.

Werder, thrashed 7-2 by Olympique Lyon at the same stage last season, have conceded 15 goals in their last five Champions League away matches.

INJURED PLAYERS The Germans are counting on captain Frank Baumann and Brazilian defender Naldo, who both missed Saturday's league game at Bayer Leverkusen with injuries, to return tomorrow.

Champions League debutants Villarreal will be confident of overcoming Rangers at the Madrigal after a 2-2 first-leg draw.

The Spaniards have statistics in their favour. They are unbeaten in the Champions League this season and have kept a clean sheet in 13 out of 16 games at home in Europe, conceding just four goals.

Argentine Juan Pablo Sorin is doubtful with a calf injury, so Italian Alessio Tacchinardi is likely to partner Marcos Senna in the centre of midfield.

Rangers' task is made harder by the absence of Croatia striker Dado Prso, who serves a one-match ban.

The Scottish champions, who have won only three of 21 Champions League away games, are battling to contain a 'flu virus and injuries to Belgian Thomas Buffel, Danish forward Peter Lovenkrands and Tunisian midfielder Hamed Namouchi.

REUTERS PDS PM1135