They have come achingly close of course, not least of all in 2009 when they were stopped in their tracks by tonight’s opponents in controversial style.

Memories of that fateful night at Stamford Bridge, when referee Tom Henning Ovrebo turned down four penalty claims, will still be fresh in the minds of the eternal bridesmaids of Champions League football.

What followed was some ugly scenes at full-time, with Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa both attracting Uefa bans for their behaviour and comments.

The London side will have to keep their cool if they are to have any chance of beating the European champions, as the Blues’ only three defeats to Barca in their 10 clashes since 2000 have all seen red cards for Chelsea players, a fact Frank Lampard seems all too aware of.

"To play a man down against Barcelona is very tough,” he said. “We have to tackle and close space, but we've got a good discipline in our team. Keeping 11 on the pitch is crucial."

Certainly, when Barcelona’s opponents are typically forced to chase shadows as the Catalans ping the ball around with frustrating ease, being a man down is really the last thing you need. But although keeping discipline is an achievable aim for Chelsea, manager Roberto Di Matteo thinks his side will have to do a lot more than that to win.

"It's fair to say we need two perfect games," Di Matteo said. "But I think, also, that the fact we've been performing very well in the last six weeks gives us the belief we can produce two perfect games in this match.”

No pressure then.

Di Matteo has hardly put a foot wrong since taking the helm, winning nine of his 12 games in charge, and taking Chelsea to an FA Cup final. One newspaper has even reported that he has been interviewed to take the job on permanently.

Questions remain however about how much of this turnaround is really down to him, or a return of “player power” at Stamford Bridge.

It wouldn’t be the first time Chelsea players performed brilliantly in Europe when they were seen as “managing themselves”. After all, they came within a penalty kick of the holy grail when it was Avram Grant looking on as John Terry gave the team-talk after extra time.

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola even named them, in case there was any confusion: "They have John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba ... They are players who have had thousands and thousands of adventures.”

Though outwardly respectful, this could be interpreted as a classic “jellyfish comment” - one which seems pretty on the surface, but it packs a painful sting. After all, it’s hardly nice to turn up at a birthday party and say: “Great party – you must have had loads of them by now.”

Of the players mentioned, only 29-year-old Michael Essien is not in his 30s. This campaign surely represents the best chance for Chelsea’s aptly-named “old guard” to finally achieve their European ambitions, and Guardiola knows it.

Chelsea will need pace and stamina to disrupt Barca’s free-flowing passing style, but also the experience and temperament it takes to deal with a season-defining European glamour tie. Di Matteo must get the balance right.

Also crucial to his team selection will also be whether to play Didier Drogba or Fernando Torres up front.

Torres has struggled to live up to his £50m price tag since joining the Blues, scoring a meagre four goals in 41 appearances for Chelsea. He has scored seven in 10 games against Barcelona in his career however, and will be highly motivated to perform on the biggest stage as doubts grow about his place in Spain’s Euro 2012 squad.

Drogba has been in better form and is more likely to score, but may tire if forced to press Barcelona high up the field.

One decision has been forced on Di Matteo, after defender David Luiz sustained a hamstring injury during Chelsea's 5-1 FA Cup win over Tottenham on Sunday, ruling him out for both legs of the tie.

Guardiola has been less fortunate with injuries, with Seydou Keita (thigh) David Villa (broken leg) and Andreu Fontas (knee) all sidelined.

Ibrahim Afellay has returned however, as have defenders Dani Alves and Gerard Pique. They will need to be at their sharpest tonight.

Both teams come into the match with some impressive form. Chelsea have not lost at Stamford Bridge in their last six league matches since the departure of Andre Villas-Boas. Barcelona have won their last 11 league games, including their last six away ties.

Crucially, Chelsea will need to contain the free-scoring Lionel Messi if they are to take some kind of result to the Camp Nou. The diminutive Argentinian has scored an incredible 63 goals, including 14 in the Champions League, this season.

“We're proud he hasn't scored against us,” said Lampard recently, with ill-advised confidence.

Expect that to change tonight, but Chelsea should have enough in the tank to get a draw at home.

Score prediction: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 1.