SOCCER/Uefa Champions League: The Stamford Bridge pitch saga took a fresh twist last night when Chelsea watered the surface ahead of Barcelona's practice session there, prompting the visiting captain Carlos Puyol to suggest it was possible the Premiership champions had set out deliberately to disrupt their training.

Chelsea insisted it was standard practice to water the pitch before a match but Puyol seemed unconvinced, particularly as rain had fallen in London earlier in the day.

When Barcelona started training there were a couple of puddles of standing water on the surface, which remained badly cut up elsewhere. The area in front of both goals was covered with plastic sheeting to protect the turf ahead of tonight's match.

"It doesn't seem the usual thing to do to water the pitch when it's raining or after, but we will see tomorrow," Puyol said. "Who knows it may get better or it could get worse."

The defender did not rule out a dirty tricks campaign. "It's possible; I don't think you can discount it," he said. "You have to ask them."

The former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart, a senior member of the Spanish football federation who is in London for the match, was scathing about Chelsea's behaviour.

"I don't like it," he said. "I don't find it normal. I don't think it's correct. The pitch is already in a bad condition and now they're watering it. I don't know if they have done it to make training more difficult but it's not right. I'm sure it was done with bad intentions."

Jose Mourinho has rejected suggestions that Chelsea have sought to make conditions as unfavourable as possible for Barcelona and had offered them the chance to practise at his club's training ground yesterday.

The manager also insists that the visiting team's training on the eve of a Champions League game involves little more than getting used to the stadium. He is likely to be encouraged, though, that Barcelona will go into the game with worries about the playing surface.

"I think the state of the pitch could affect us more because of our style of football," Puyol said. "We like to move the ball quickly and move the ball a lot, playing at a high tempo. If we concentrate hard and make sure we don't give the ball away in midfield - because that's an area where Chelsea are particularly strong - we should cope with things.

"It can't serve as any kind of excuse tomorrow night," he added. "We are experienced enough to be able to play all kind of surfaces and we have to adapt. We are not used to playing on this kind of surface or conditions but we have to adapt and not play risky passes where we might lose the ball."

Barcelona's coach Frank Rijkaard was diplomatic and laid back, doubtless determined to show that he is unaffected by the matter. "I don't think there's any kind of psychology to it at all," he said. "I see it as Chelsea doing the best they can to make the pitch playable and get it in the best state possible.

"We have to realise Chelsea are affected by a poor pitch as much as we are. They are doing things to get it right." Rijkaard added: "I have no hard feelings. I think Chelsea are a great club and doing a great job."

Mourinho must focus on his own duties, which will see him aiming to contain a side of flair. He will have to decide whether the stealth of Hernan Crespo or the dynamism of Didier Drogba will best expose Barcelona. He must also rule on whether Maniche or Eidur Gudjohnsen should occupy the berth usually reserved for Michael Essien.

Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o and Messi are reunited. Edmilson, Thiago Motta and Deco have returned. With Xavi Hernandez still injured they are not playing with the same speed and fluidity. "We must not make a single mistake," insisted Rijkaard. He is likely to stick to 4-3-3 but with a more muscular midfield, Motta joining Edmilson and Deco.

Chelsea v Barcelona Stamford Bridge, kick-off 7.45 On TV: Sky Sports 1, RTÉ 2