Didier Drogba Can Damage Barcelona, Claims Chelsea's Michael Ballack

Didier Drogba, despite missing a glorious chance to grab a crucial away goal against Barcelona in Camp Nou last week, has been in unforgiving form under interim manager Guus Hiddink, and his understanding with Nicolas Anelka against Fulham was almost telepathic.

German midfielder Michael Ballack expects Drogba to rise once again and see off an under-strength Barca in the concluding leg of the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday evening at Stamford Bridge. The Catalan outfit are missing Carles Puyol and Rafael Marquez.

Ballack explained to the Mirror, "Didier sometimes still surprises even me with what he can do on the pitch. I've played with and also against a lot of players in Europe but I've not seen many, especially strikers, who can compare.

"In England you have a lot of physically strong strikers but not who also have the combination of technique, the success, the goal scoring, the determination to score and effectiveness that Didi has.

"That's why he plays for Chelsea! He's in a good shape. Of course we need a fantastic Didi, like we had against Liverpool at home and in a few other games.

"We don't know what they will do," he added. "That's their problem, not ours. We have had a few problems in the past with injuries and had to deal with them. This is a problem they have.

"So we have to take things as they come, whatever they do. They might have to put Eric Abidal in the middle. But even if they had Rafael Marquez or Carles Puyol, Didi is strong enough to challenge them."

He continued, "Whenever there has been a big game he's been there and we think he will be against Barca as well." 

Alan Dawson, Goal.com