Iniesta rues missed chances

Soccer:Andres Iniesta lamented Barcelona's lack of ruthlessness in front of goal as he reflected on the "unjust" 1-0 Champions League semi-final defeat to Chelsea. Spain midfielder Iniesta was instrumental as Barca dominated their first-leg clash at Stamford Bridge only to lose to a Didier Drogba strike on the stroke of half-time.

Alexis Sanchez, Cesc Fabregas and, in the dying seconds, Sergio Busquets all missed gilt-edge chances for the Catalan side while Sanchez and Pedro also struck the woodwork. It means Chelsea will carry a slim advantage into the return at the Nou Camp on Tuesday with the winners advancing into the final to meet either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

“The result is unjust but we knew that Chelsea are a team that take advantage of their opportunities,” Iniesta said. “We were off target in front of goal but we still have the return leg at home. We have the feeling that we created a lot of clear chances, the only thing we were lacking was the final touch. Sometimes this happens.

“We’ll try to be more effective in the return leg, we have confidence in our ability to overturn today’s scoreline. We have had an adverse result and we have to work harder seeing that we’re capable of doing it. It’s not an issue of luck.”

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola and Chelsea counterpart Roberto Di Matteo both agreed the tie was evenly poised ahead of the second leg. Guardiola said he expected, and got, a tough game against Chelsea and anticipated another one next week at the Nou Camp after the European champions were beaten on a rainy night in west London.

"A team does not reach the semi-finals of the competition six times in nine years without being a strong team," Guardiola explained. Guardiola, whose side created 24 scoring chances of their own without finding the net, added: "I wasn't expecting to create so many chances. Nevertheless, we did, but we could not score and that was the issue.

"We knew it was going to be a challenge and it was going to be difficult but we will have to see what happens in the second leg. It is never easy coming to Stamford Bridge.But at home next week we will try and create as many chances but it is never easy against a team that defends so deep but we will try it."

In a sense, the result was a form of revenge for Chelsea's interim boss Di Matteo. Twelve years ago to the day, Guardiola was in the Barcelona side that beat a Chelsea side containing Di Matteo 5-1 in a Champions League quarter-final, but the Italian was more concerned with next week rather than the past.

"I watched them against AC Milan and against Real Madrid." he said, "and they did exactly the same. They have a unique style of playing and with quality players that's what they do to you. The balance has to be good within your own team to beat them. You need to be able to close down the spaces as much as possible and limit the threat as much as possible... it was not just the defence it was a defensive team effort ."

Drogba's goal was Chelsea's only shot on target but Di Matteo added: "I think that when you score a goal and win the game you deserve to win. Certainly they had more possession and a few more chances but they always do so. You have to be clinical when you play Barca and take any chances you get."