The Dutchman locked horns with his Portuguese counterpart several times over the past three years and their teams’ matches have always been action-packed and filled with controversy.

"I never had a bad feeling so there is nothing to be over," Rijkaard told BBC on Monday. "Everyone has his own form and I never had any problems with Mourinho."

In fact, Rijkaard was full of praise for the former Porto coach.

"Mourinho has done great work to change tactics but stay successful.

"Mourinho follows his personality - staying close to his own way - he chooses that and he has been very successful with it.

"I can only have respect for that," insisted the former Holland international.

The two sides face-off in Nou Camp on Tuesday, two weeks after the Premiership champions routed their Primera Liga counterparts 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

"We need the points, definitely. I have learned nothing from the game at Chelsea - only that we lost and we didn't play well," admitted the former AC Milan star.

However, Rijkaard is sure he can deal with the London side this time around.

"We have already played several times against Chelsea and we know how they play.

"They are not as quick as they were in the counter-attack two years ago.

The European champions are in joint second spot in the group, level with Werder Bremen on four points, five behind leaders Chelsea.