Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique has leapt to the defence of Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

Drogba was heavily criticised for his actions during the Champions League semi-final opening leg between the two sides at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday for what many saw as feigning injury and going to ground too easily.

However, Pique believes that the Ivory Coast international is not a diver.

"I believe in Drogba that every time he fell down it was because he was in pain or he felt a kick on him," the Spaniard told reporters. "I don't think that, when Drogba fell down, he was trying to act or dive.

"If not, we'll start to talk about football not having fair play and being all about cheats. Football is not like that. We have to keep all the good things and diving and cheating is not good."

The two sides will meet tomorrow night in the Nou Camp to decide who will advance into May's final.