Chelsea may be against all the odds to beat Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals, but Juan Mata insists it is not impossible.
The Spaniard is speaking from experience as he was a key part of the Valencia side who beat the Pep Guardiola's side at the semi-final stage of the Copa Del Rey last year.
The 23-year-old told The Sunday Mirror: “That was one of my best games. To beat Barcelona, you have to play a great game. That is obvious.”
A MATA OF TIME
45/1
Chelsea's Juan Mata is 45/1 with Bet365 to score the first goal against Barcelona after the 46th minute of their Champions League first leg.
Mata believes if Chelsea can get their tactics correct on the night and stop Barcelona from playing their formidable flowing, expansive game of football they can pull off a shock result.
Barcelona are clear favourites to not only reach the final in Munich, but be crowned champions of Europe again - especially if Lionel Messi keeps up his sensation form.
However, the ex-Valencia man is not intimidated by the size of the challenge facing them, adding: “They are a great team.
“And you all know they have one of the best players in the world. But in football, nothing is impossible.
“We have to be clinical when we get chances and we have to be compact and defend as a team. We have to be together.
“From the start of the Champions League, Barcelona and Real Madrid have been favourites to win it. But maybe that will make it better for us. We know that if we play well, we will have opportunities to qualify.
“It is true that Barcelona have a lot of players with experience in this kind of game – but we do as well. And we have also reached a lot of semi- finals in the last eight years.
“We are confident after a good run of results. We are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the Champions League and we are trying to come third or fourth in the Premier League. So, confidence is the most important thing that has changed.”
Mata was rejected by Real Madrid when he was a youngster and admits the chance to face Jose Mourinho’s side would be a fantastic opportunity.
He added: “Yes, it would be a dream, but if we are in a final, it doesn’t matter who we play.”
The last time Chelsea and Barcelona met at this phase of the competition was three years ago with the Spanish side going through on away goals, thanks to a strike from Andres Iniesta.
Mata added: “Chelsea were close to going through last time and I remember that goal from Iniesta. It was very close – and I hope this year it can be a different outcome.”