Guus Hiddink has denied Chelsea were guilty of "dirty tricks" in their goalless draw with Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Camp Nou. The Catalan giants were unhappy with some of the challenges from Chelsea's players as the London side defended for their lives in the face of some slick attacking play.

Ahead of their 'derby' clash with Fulham on Saturday, a defiant Hiddink insisted there was nothing nasty about their performance.

"It was a man's match," said Hiddink. "There were some collisions, but from either side. It's a man's game. They were controlling and dominating the game and I'd have liked to have had some more initiatives, but they controlled it.

"I don't like to give in that easily. We were well organised and played well, defensively. I'd like to have taken a little bit more of the initiative, but they are a disciplined team as well.

"Under Pep Guardiola, they know how to defend firmly and their centre-back, too, isn't afraid to make the game tough. On top of that, they can play.

"We would, of course, have liked to play more, but we were playing the best team in their concept of football.

"We didn't want to play 'anti-football'. This team has proved for several months, and at the beginning of the season, that they can play football.

"But we were not able to start a good attacking game in Barcelona - you can blame us for not starting well and they made it difficult.

"We don't like to allow them to take the victory. This team has the character to fight as well."

Chelsea winger Florent Malouda claimed Barcelona's players were guilty of play-acting and went down too easily when challenged, but Hiddink defended the Spanish side.

"I don't think there was a lot of acting," added Hiddink. "There were some good fights, for instance between Daniel Alves and Flo Malouda.

"That's normal friction. I don't think there was a lot of theatre from either side. There were some good duels but I didn't see many players rolling around. I don't think it's as bad as was suggested just after the game."

Chelsea clearly have their minds on the return leg against the Spaniards next Wednesday but prior to that, there is a difficult encounter with west London neighbours Fulham to overcome.

Hiddink will again take the opportunity to rest some players against a Fulham side chasing a place in next season's newly formed Europa League.

The Barclays Premier League title may be out of Chelsea's reach but Hiddink is determined to ensure they don't drop too many points and allow fourth-placed Arsenal to catch them.

"There might be one or two changes," confirmed Hiddink. "Regarding that, it's not that we're going to decrease the quality of the players coming in.

"We have players on the bench with the quality to perform well. Maybe one or two will start tomorrow. We take this game very seriously."