30 Apr 2009

Barcelona held 0-0 by Chelsea in semi-final first leg

7:25 am on 30 April 2009

Barcelona have been held to a 0-0 draw by a battling Chelsea in the first leg of their European football Champions League semi-final at the Nou Camp.

The home side dominated possession but found it hard to break through the London club's massed Chelsea defences.

Chelsea almost took the lead against the run of play in the 38th minute when a miscued back pass let in Didier Drogba, but a fine double save by Victor Valdes denied the Ivory Coast striker.

Samuel Eto'o raced clear midway through the second period only for Chelsea's goalkeeper Petr Cech to save superbly with his legs.

And substitute Bojan Krkic headed a stoppage-time chance over the bar from close range.