Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0:Chelsea became the first club to shut out Barcelona in this season's Champions League but rode their luck on the way to a scoreless draw in their semi-final first leg at the Nou Camp. The stalemate means Barca have to score at Stamford Bridge next week, a task that might in fact be easier than tonight's, given that their opponents will be expected to attack as well.

Despite promises to the contrary from within the London club, there was little adventure from Chelsea, who played the majority of the game with 10 men behind the ball.

Florent Malouda was an occasional outlet for his defence but more often than not it was left to striker Didier Drogba to offer the threat at the other end and, for the most part, the task was too great.

On one occasion in the first half, the Ivorian did manage to get behind Gerard Pique and Rafael Marquez but found Victor Valdez equal to his first effort and quick to the rebound as well.

Michael Ballack headed over the bar early in the second half but aside from that, the action centred around Petr Cech's goal. Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink will be relieved the goalkeeper chose tonight to rediscover how to command his area and how to cut an imposing presence, as Daniel Alves, Samuel Eto'o, Thierry Henry and Alexander Hleb found out.

There was little he could have done, however, had Bojan Krkic directed his header goalwards from Alves's cross in injury time, but the youngster header wastefully over the bar.

Barcelona enjoyed plenty of possession early on, with their main danger man Lionel Messi constantly probing and looking to get in behind Jose Bosingwa. The Portuguese was fortunate not to be booked on one occasion, though even luckier not to be punished for a tug on Henry inside the box after the break.

Messi did force Alex into a rash challenge and into the book in the 26th minute, while Ballack's tackle on Henry meant he saw yellow too. Both could have seen another each after cynical tackles, but escaped, and will be available next week.

The attention meant Messi's early industry faded. On the left, it was Henry who looked the more likely to inflict the damage and he fired a warning shot after half an hour when he cut in from the left but shot straight at Cech. He tested him again with a much fiercer effort moments later as Barca finally began to create some openings.

Chelsea, though, should have broken the deadlock in the 39th minute when Marquez's weak back pass allowed Drogba a free run on goal but the striker's half volley was well saved by Valdes, who was also equal to the Ivorian hitman's follow up.

Ballack's flicked header appeared to signal intent from Chelsea but they soon retreated into their shell again and invited Barca on.

The Spanish side was forced into a reshuffle when Marquez was forced off with a knee injury to be replaced by Carlos Puyol.

Messi, still on the fringes of the game, volleyed over the bar from 16 yards while Alves forced Cech into another smart stop as Barca began to find their fluency again.

Eto'o missed a great opportunity to give Barcelona the lead with 20 minutes to go when he outpaced the visiting defence but the outstanding Cech produced another excellent stop.

The best chance of the game fell to substitute Bojan in the 90th minute when the young striker headed over the bar from close range. Moments later Cech smothered an effort from Alex Hleb as Barca ended the night frustrated and goalless - the first time they have failed to score at the Nou Camp all season.