Roberto Di Matteo has admitted he faces the biggest test of his fledgling managerial career when Chelsea take on Barcelona tonight (live RTÉ Two, 7.30pm/kick-off 7.45pm).
The Blues have had barely 48 hours to work on caretaker boss Di Matteo's masterplan for overcoming the world and European champions in the Champions League semi-finals.
Even if they had more time, so good are Barca, Di Matteo will need to have plenty more up his sleeve than simply a Plan A in this evening's first leg at Stamford Bridge.
Di Matteo said: "It's the biggest challenge for any manager to play against the best team in the world, but for every player as well, to be able to compare themselves against one of the top teams in the world."
The fact Chelsea have any sort of chance at all of upsetting the odds is down to their incredible resurgence in the past six weeks under Di Matteo.
Before then, their quest to emulate Barcelona's brand of football under Andre Villas-Boas looked doomed to failure, with their reversion to type having yielded spectacular results.
Di Matteo said: "We think, over the last six weeks, we've improved gradually and every win has given this team more belief and self confidence.
"We have a fantastic squad with some quality players. With the players we have, we play the best way we can to get the best out of these players."
Di Matteo admitted Chelsea needed to be "perfect" for both legs if they were to reach the final and avenge their semi-final defeat of three years ago.
But he denied the burning sense of injustice from the sides' last meeting - which saw the Blues denied a clutch of penalties before Andres Iniesta scored a stoppage-time away goal - would be a motivation.
"What happened in the past has gone," he said.
"There's a strong feeling in the team that they want to do well, that they're highly motivated to produce a good performance against Barca."
Chelsea have proven Barca's bogey side down the years, helping thwart the Catalans' Champions League ambitions on more than one occasion.
Di Matteo said: "They don't like to play against us. The results in the past show that. The way we play is maybe a bit more difficult for them to play against.
"We've shown on many occasions that we're a team who can give them a lot of problems."
Midfield Frank Lampard admitted Chelsea's hopes of victory could lie with keeping 11 men on the field.
The Blues' three defeats to Barca in the 10 encounters since 2000 have all been suffered after they had someone sent off.
Lampard, who played in two of those losses, acknowledged Chelsea could ill afford to lose a player tonight or in Tuesday's second leg if they were going to shock the European champions.
"Discipline is a huge factor at this level," he said.
"To play a man down against Barcelona is very tough. We have to tackle and close space, but we've got a good discipline in our team.
"Keeping 11 on the pitch is crucial."
For his part, Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has lavished praise on Chelsea's ageing stars and claimed he is struggling to formulate a plan to see off the Blues.
Many claim the likes of Lampard (33), Drogba (34) and even John Terry (31), who were set to be phases out under Andre Villas-Boas "project", are on the wane, but Guardiola disagrees.
"I do admire that generation of players," Guardiola said.
"They have done so well over the last seven years and have got into so many semi-finals and finals, and competed in the Premier League so well.
"That's not easy, so I do admire what they have achieved. It will be exciting to play them."
Despite being four points behind leaders Real Madrid, Barcelona have played some of the best football the world has ever seen this year and with the likes of Andres Iniesta, Xavi and, of course, Lionel Messi, it is easy to see why they are overwhelming favourites to progress.
But Chelsea's recent resurgence under Di Matteo has left Guardiola with much to worry about, it seems.
Guardiola added: "They have John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba ... They are players who have had thousands and thousands of adventures.
"Maybe they do not have the consistency in the league but in competitions like this they are one of the best teams in the world.
"I saw what they did against Tottenham," Guardiola added, referring to Chelsea's 5-1 win over their rivals at Wembley on Sunday.
"Everyone wants to beat Barcelona and play well against us, because we are the current holders but I am struggling to see how we are going to hurt them and how we are going to create chances to score goals."
Guardiola's last visit to Stamford Bridge ended in success after Andres Iniesta fired home a 93rd minute away goal to take his team through to the Champions League final for the first time in his reign.
Barca went on to win the competition, and a remarkable 12 more pieces of silverware have followed under the stewardship of their former midfield maestro.
Such an accomplishment has naturally led to huge acclaim for Guardiola, with Chelsea reported to be among his interested suitors.
But the Barca boss, whose contract expires this summer, last night dismissed the idea he could swap the Nou Camp for Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, however.
He said: "It's fantasy. Hypothetical. I'm coach of Barcelona. Chelsea have a very good manager because, in the last 10 games, they've made unbelievable results.
"It's not the time to be talking about that. I'm here as Barcelona manager. Chelsea have a manager."
