Ballack keen to help Chelsea gain revenge over Barca

MADRID, Oct 12 (Reuters) Germany captain Michael Ballack wants to help Chelsea exact revenge over Barcelona in next week's Champions League encounter at Stamford Bridge.

The Spanish champions dumped Chelsea out of the competition in the first knockout round last season, and went on to lift the European Cup in May.

''Thoughts of revenge on Chelsea's part? Absolutely. I only hope we can do it well,'' Ballack said in an interview with Spanish sports daily Mundo Deportivo today.

Much has been made of the rivalry between the clubs after having met in consecutive seasons at the same stage of the Champions League.

''I didn't experience the previous encounters from within the team so I can't say whether they weigh upon the players' minds or not,'' said the midfielder, who moved from Bayern Munich on a free transfer in May.

''Purely in terms of passion and world impact, however, you can't get bigger than a match between Chelsea and Barcelona.'' In the current campaign, both clubs have been accused of lacking the fluidity that inspired them to respective league titles last year, and of struggling to integrate new players.

Ballack expects that to change for Wednesday's game and the return in the Nou Camp on October 31.

''Against Barca we'll see if we are lacking in rhythm and whether we are a unit yet,'' said Ballack.

''Any new player has to learn how to adapt to a new team and it is especially hard at Chelsea where every player is top class. It is nothing more than that.'' Chelsea top Group A with six points from two games, two ahead of second-placed Barca who drew 1-1 away to Werder Bremen last month.

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