Chelsea face injury crisis ahead of Barca clashPublished 10:38 16/04/12 By MirrorFootball
Chelsea were today sweating over a potential defensive injury crisis ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona.
David Luiz was due to undergo a scan to determine whether he had any chance of playing in Wednesday night's clash at Stamford Bridge after being carried off on a stretcher with a hamstring injury during last night's 5-1 FA Cup semi-final win against Tottenham.
Replacement Gary Cahill also left Wembley with a foot problem, from which he appeared to have more chance of recovering than Luiz.
With captain John Terry still playing through the pain of broken ribs, caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo could be down to one fully fit centre-half in Branislav Ivanovic, who is available despite his domestic suspension.
Di Matteo's decision to play his strongest team yesterday paid off handsomely in terms of the result but was always going to be a risk three days before the visit of Barca.
He said of Luiz's chance of being available: "It looks to be doubtful at the moment for the next game."
Didier Drogba, who scored a spectacular opening goal yesterday, also left the field with a hamstring problem and Di Matteo added: "We've picked up some bruises and niggly injuries, so it's a matter of assessing the team."
The Italian was confident those who played yesterday could manage another game within three days during Chelsea's punishing end to the season.
"I think the boys are looking quite fit at the moment," he said. "I was just focusing and concentrating on this game to go to the final."
Yesterday's win was Chelsea's ninth in 12 outings since Di Matteo took charge. He said: "It's good to keep this positive momentum going. We go into the Barcelona game with confidence now.
"It'll be a different kind of game. But winning brings that positivity within the team. It makes everybody feel better."
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