Mourinho playing games before kick-off

Barcelona v Chelsea:  Disguise and dissembling have long been tools of the soccer manager's trade. Yesterday, Jose Mourinho's were discarded. The Chelsea boss concluded his press conference by boldly naming his starting line-up for tonight's Champions League match

The mystery that had surrounded the extent of injuries to William Gallas, Didier Drogba and Damien Duff - heightened by three days of training behind closed doors - was at once resolved.

"We have one more session, but I think Drogba plays, Gallas plays; Duff I don't think so," said Mourinho, before predicting who he thought would play for Barcelona.

Then he added: "You want to know my team? All right: Cech, Paulo, Ricardo, Terry, Gallas, Tiago, Makelele, Lampard, Cole, Drogba and Gudjohnsen."

Although his counterpart Frank Rijkaard refused to confirm his own line-up, the Dutchman failed to remain entirely stoical.

Having endured Mourinho's assessments about their respective careers and the inevitable headlines that followed, Rijkaard was eventually rattled into a response.

"Chelsea showed up three days ago and he spent three days training behind closed doors," said Rijkaard.

"Speaking in general terms, changes in the team can be surprising for the opponent. It's why the coach never says. Most coaches think the players deserve to know first who'll play rather than the press.

"If he is going to name his team, I don't know why they train behind closed doors. Usually when people talk, it's a sign that they're not very calm."

But it is Rijkaard whose equanimity appears to have been eroded. Mourinho's skill at making what is arguably the tie of the round more about himself than about the clubs involved has piqued previous opponents.

It was in this way that as Porto manager he bested Manchester United's Alex Ferguson ahead of their second-round Champions League match at Old Trafford last season. By his own admission he named his team before the match to indulge in mind games with the Scot.

The appearance of having such confidence in his side that he feels able to give away the advantage of foresight to his opponent may in this case be just a veneer.

In another moment of candour, the former Barcelona assistant coach gave hints of a more introspective nature.

"I think you have to be confident," he said. "I keep saying that to the players and keep thinking it to myself, if you have bad injuries or bad results, you cannot forget what you have to do in future.

"I can't do anything about the injuries. I just have to wait for them to come back. We have more solutions with those players, but we can't complain about it. We must think the other way. We have to adapt our way of playing. We must be positive."

Mourinho may be hoping that his announcement will cause Rijkaard to alter his strategy, aware that if this produces a more gung-ho approach from Barcelona it will be to play into the hands of a Chelsea side that has conceded just 14 goals in 41 games.

With away goals of extra value, the return of Drogba from a month out with a thigh injury will provide Chelsea with the pace to launch penetrative breaks.

The height of the Ivory Coast international and his strike partner, Eidur Gudjohnsen, will also provide a platform for long-ball football.

Such tactical nuances were surprisingly outlined by Arsenal's former Barcelona youngster Cesc Fabregas in an interview with the Catalan newspaper El Periodico yesterday, not that the 17-year-old's espionage will concern Mourinho overmuch.

"We know we have a second game in London, and we know that in London it will not be easy for them," said Mourinho.

"They have the quality to beat us. It doesn't surprise me if they beat us. But it won't surprise me if we beat them. That is the reality."

Having stumbled to an English FA Cup defeat to Newcastle on Sunday, Mourinho is proud to remind the world that never in his managerial career have any of his teams lost two successive games.

Though he has done all he can to cope with trying circumstances, that record will meet its sternest test tonight.

Defender Oleguer Presas is the only doubt for Frank Rijkaard's team with a groin strain.