LONDON: Jose Mourinho has branded Lionel Messi a master of the dramatic arts after the Argentinian teenager claimed centre-stage in the latest chapter in Chelsea and Barcelona's bitter Champions League rivalry.

Messi, whose diminutive stature and intuitive application of outstanding technique have invited comparisons with his compatriot Diego Maradona, was the inspiration behind a 2-1 first leg win that makes the Catalan club strong favourites to advance to the last eight.

But Chelsea manager Mourinho insisted that the 18-year-old's most significant contribution had been to get Asier del Horno sent off 10 minutes from the end of the first half by over-reacting to the Chelsea left-back's crude body check.

Having insisted he would say nothing about the incident for fear of falling foul of UEFA's disciplinary chiefs, the Portuguese manager proceeded to deliver an extended rant on the subject, concluding with the observation that Barcelona was a very cultural city.

"You know all about theatre and you have got theatre of very high quality in Barcelona," he said.

Mourinho claimed that del Horno's dismissal had turned the game in Barca's favour, with the visitors sealing victory through Samuel Eto'o's late header after a Thiago Motta own goal - which had given Chelsea the lead - was cancelled out by John Terry doing the same thing at the other end.

"When you play 10 or 15 minutes with ten men it is easier to play with a lot of energy. But when you play like that for 50 minutes or an hour it is difficult to close the door all the time," Mourinho said. "Sometime the door has to open - that is the reality.

"With 11 against 11 we beat them last season. With 11 against 11 this game was open. With 11 against 11 we were winning 1-0 in Barcelona last season. But 10 against 11 - it is difficult."

A slightly less biased observer than Mourinho could reasonably point out that Chelsea, while they had not conceded a goal, were chasing the game long before the dismissal of del Horno.

"It was an important result for us in what was a special game," said the Barcelona coach, Frank Rijkaard.

"I don't think we put in our best performance, perhaps that was down to the (very poor) pitch or the way Chelsea played. But we created enough chances to win the match and it is a good first step on the road to qualification for the next round.

"We showed a lot of maturity in the game although we could have played better as a team. It was not the most attractive performance of the season, but the main thing is we were focused and concentrated really well."

"We can't rest on our laurels though. Chelsea are too big a team for that. They will go into the second leg really psyched up and we have to show a lot of commitment and desire to get this job done."

Rijkaard would not be drawn into a debate with Mourinho on whether Norwegian referee Terje Hauge had made the right call on the del Horno red card.

"I think you have to accept the opinion of the referee who made the decision," the Dutchman said, before adding a riposte to Mourinho's slur on Messi's character.

"Messi is the kind of player who is fouled a lot but he is not the sort to over-react," he said.

It was clear from the start of the match that del Horno was in for a tortuous evening courtesy of the little Argentinian's dancing feet.

Skipping beyond his marker at will, it was Messi who unleashed Barca's first strike on goal, a low effort which Peter Cech needed two attempts to gather.

Another surge into the box teed up Ronaldinho, who uncharacteristically hesitated when presented with a sight of goal.

Ironically, Chelsea looked more positive having been reduced to ten men and they took the lead just before the hour mark after Arjen Robben won a free-kick near the left touchline.

Whipped in by Lampard, the ball appeared destined for the arms of Valdes before Motta cut across the goalkeeper and deflected it in.

Barcelona's equaliser came from a free-kick in a virtually identical position, Ronaldinho's delivery skimming off Terry's head and into the top corner of the net.

The Chelsea captain was to make amends for that misfortune by twice clearing off the line as Barcelona piled on the pressure, denying substitute Henrik Larsson and Ronaldinho in quick succession.

The woodwork also came to the London club's rescue, Messi's sublime chip rebounding off the angle of post and bar with Cech well-beaten.

But Barca were not to be denied victory. After a Chelsea counter had broken down, a Ronaldinho surge out of his own half left their back line hopelessly exposed and Eto'o was unchallenged as he rose to nod in Rafael Marquez's chip.

Source: China Daily