Barcelona winger Lionel Messi says Chelsea's Asier del Horno was out to stop him by fair or foul means with the tackle that resulted in the defender being sent off in last night’s Champions League game.

The young winger also countered claims by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho that the he had indulged in theatrics when he went down after Del Horno's red card tackle.

"I don't do theatre," he said. "I don't attach any importance to that because we know what he's like, that he likes talking, he likes to say things and heat up the atmosphere."

Chelsea were reduced to 10 men from the 37th minute when Del Horno was shown the red card by referee Terje Hauge and lost the first knockout round first leg 2-1.

"I got past (Arjen) Robben and Del Horno charged at me with bad intent," Messi said of the incident close to the corner flag. "Luckily I see him coming and I jump because if not he would have hurt me much more."

Messi said Del Horno had lunged at him earlier and caught him high up on his leg with his studs, but was not punished. Del Horno's studs tore the knee-length contour shorts Messi wore under his kit for the cold London weather, the Argentine said.

"The first kick that he gave me left a mark," the 18-year-old international said. "The first one that was with studs up hurt me more, I certainly felt that one more, but with the victory you don't notice the kicks."

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol said: "If Mourinho has doubts about the aggression againt Messi all he has to do is look at his leg."

Messi has shown a taste for running at defences since his explosive appearance in top flight football.

"This match is the sort that any player likes to play and you try to be strong so that it goes as well as possible for you," he said. "I always say that when I've got the crowd against me, I like to play more and I try to do more things."

Messi almost got on the scoresheet himself when he hit the far top angle of Petr Cech's goal with a curling left-footed shot.

Ten-man Chelsea took the lead in the second half with an own goal by midfielder Thiago Motta from a Frank Lampard free kick.

Barcelona equalised when Chelsea captain John Terry headed Ronaldinho's free kick past Cech in the Chelsea goal and striker Samuel Eto'o headed the 80th minute winner.

"Barca won because we went for the win at every moment," Messi said.

"When it was 1-0 against us we started to play football with the ball on the ground and began to show what Barcelona is and how we've always played. That's when the spaces opened up for us and we created a lot of chances.

"We could have scored another goal but that's how it went, and it's good because we got an important result over here and that gives us tranquility for the return at home."