Chelsea will lock their horns against Barcelona in the second leg of round of 16 clash of UEFA Champions League. Both teams will be trying to win the match to emerge victorious to go through to the next round. It will be a really interesting match to watch out for the football fans all over the World.
Chelsea had emerged victorious against Crystal Palace in the Premier League with a margin of 2-1. The Blues needed the win badly to stay in the contention of finishing at the top four in the Premier League after the end of the season and with 10 games left they are still in the race after losing 4 matches in last 5 Premier League games. There is a huge amount of pressure on Antonio Conte as the team is not performing well against the big clubs. Antonio Conte had given Chelsea the Premier League title in the previous season; but in this season, the title holders are not performing at their level best. They are clearly missing something in the field, probably the eagerness to win the title again in this season.
Chelsea had drawn against Barcelona with a scoreline of 1-1 at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of the round of 16 clash of UEFA Champions League. The Blues have given their all in this match against the Catalan Giants. Antonio Conte’s tactical masterstroke have almost worked for the Blues at their home ground Stamford Bridge. Playing Eden Hazard as a false nine and keeping both Pedro and Willian in the field together.
Chelsea had two renowned strikers in their squad , keeping both of them in the bench was a real brave decision taken by Antonio Conte. The selection might have paid off if the miss pass given by Cesar Azpilicueta was not converted into a Goal by Lionel Messi. The second leg will happen at Camp Nou and if Chelsea can display this spirited performance at Camp Nou too, they will surely have a chance to go through to the quarter final of the biggest event of Europe.
Team News :
Chelsea :
Andreas Christensen will be available for Chelsea after missing the previous match. David Luiz is unavailable due to knee injury. Thibaut Courtois will yet again surely start in goal while Christensen, Azpilicueta and Rudiger might start for Chelsea in a three man central defense, while Moses and Alonso will be there at two flanks. Kante and Fabregas will always be present in the heart of the midfield for Chelsea. Barkley, Giroud and Hazard will be there upfront for the Blues against, which will be a boost for Antonio Conte and his plans of beating Barcelona.
Barcelona :
Ter Stegen will start at the Goal for Barcelona while Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti and Alba will start in the defense for them. Busquets, Rakitić, Paulinho and Iniesta will be there in the Midfield for the Catalan Giants. Messi and Suarez will lead the attack of Barcelona.
Possible Starting Eleven :
Chelsea (3-4-3):
Goalkeeper : Thibaut Courtois
Defenders :Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta.
Midfielders : Victor Moses, N’Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas, Davide Zappacosta.
Attackers : Pedro, Olivier Giroud, Eden Hazard.
Barcelona (4-4-2) :
Goalkeeper : Ter Stegen
Defenders : Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Alba.
Midfielders : Busquets, Rakitić, Paulinho, Iniesta.
Attackers : Messi, Luis Suárez.
My Score Prediction :
Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea (Blues go through on away goals)
