On Tuesday, Chelsea will journey to Camp Nou to face a Barcelona facet coming off considered one of their worst weeks in current historical past.
earlier than their loss to Madrid on Saturday, Pep Guardiola's membership had been unbeaten at dwelling for extra than 50 games.
Barcelona vs Chelsea Preview
final Wednesday, Chelsea's Didier Drogba lifted the Chelsea over the Spanish giants by capitalizing on Lionel Messi's midfield giveaway.
Seconds earlier than the halftime whistle, Chelsea ran a fast counterattack catching Barcelona's again 4 off guard. Drogba obtained a cross proper in entrance of the purpose and casually slid it previous Victor Valdés.
By the ultimate whistle, Barcelona had 20 extra pictures than Chelsea and had maintained seventy five p.c of possession. however these stats imply nothing with out a aim.
Petr Cech was in wonderful kind as he turned apart pictures that seemed certain to seek out the again of the online.
5 minutes into the second half, Adriano made a scintillating run and unleashed a shot to the far submit. Cech stretched out and made the save. within the closing minutes of the game, Carles Puyol headed the ball low throughout the face of the aim. Cech laid out to make one other fingertip save.
His efficiency is the principal purpose for Chelsea's victory. Petr Cech was the person of the Match, and Chelsea will want an identical efficiency on Tuesday.
For Barcelona, it is crucial to search out a goal-scoring various to Lionel Messi, who has scored over forty p.c of their targets this season.
Leg 1 highlights
Chelsea gave him no area final week, and if that match was any indication for the upcoming one, the Spanish aspect will want one other participant to step up.
Early within the season, Cesc Fàbregas proved that he may be a scoring risk however has since managed fewer alternatives.
Alexis Sanchez is one other option, however he lacks consistency and typically shoots when a move is extra applicable.
Going into the second leg with a 1-0 lead, Chelsea will likely be content material with a draw. They may even handle to advance in the event that they rating and solely lose by one as a result of of the away targets rule. Barcelona will need to win by two, so count on them to use heavy stress on Chelsea's backs.
With such a dedication to attack, Barcelona will as soon as once more be weak to the counterattack. On Saturday, actual Madrid's profitable objective got here from a counterattack completed by Ronaldo after receiving Mesut Ozil's lengthy move.
Nevertheless, if Barcelona can mitigate Chelsea's top benefit on set items and keep away from expensive giveaways within the midfield, they will produce a constructive outcome.
Barcelona
Xavi has been combating a knock in recent weeks, and in Barcelona's last seven games in all competition,s the Spanish pass master has solely completed the total ninety minutes once. He was withdrawn once sixty nine minutes within the Clasico defeat to Real Madrid at the weekend, and though he most likely will not be match enough to play the entire game here, he ought to be alright to begin.
Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez may each come back to the beginning lineup once creating substitute appearances at the weekend, though Pedro is additionally vying for a beginning berth.
Villa, Abidal and Fontas stay absent, whereas Puyol and Mascherano are each one yellow card aloof from missing the ultimate, ought to Barcelona create it.
Probable lineups : Valdes, Adriano, Puyol, Pique, Alves, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Fabregas, Messi, Sanchez. (4-3-3).
Chelsea
Roberto Di Matteo is probably going to recall the various players he rested for the trip to Arsenal at the weekend - there's each probability that he can choose constant eleven that overcame Barcelona within the 1st leg. That is, however, hooked in to Didier Drogba recovering from the knee injury that kept him out of Saturday's game.
David Luiz will certainly miss out with a hamstring injury. Ivanovic, Cole, Ramires and Meireles are the four work Chelsea players who are one yellow card faraway from a eu suspension.
Probable lineups : Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole, Meireles, Mikel, Lampard, Ramires, Drogba, Mata. (4-3-3).
Match Facts
Barcelona have drawn their last 3 home matches against Chelsea in all competitions.
Barcelona have seen under 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches against Chelsea in all competitions.
Chelsea have been winning at both half time and full time in 4 of their last 6 matches in UEFA Champions League.
Chelsea have won their last 4 matches in UEFA Champions League.
Chelsea are undefeated in their last 6 matches against Barcelona in all competitions.
Chelsea have won with a 1 goal margin in their last 3 matches in UEFA Champions League.
Prediction
The pressure is admittedly on for Barcelona. they need lost back-to-back matches for the primary time this season - results that have seen them up against it if they're to form it to the Champions League final and additionally all however handed the La Liga title to Real Madrid. they're going to be hopeful that their 1st loss at home in all competitions this season was simply a blip and that they will come to winning ways in which during this game.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are unbeaten in nine games, and have progressed to the ultimate of the FA Cup moreover as beating Barcelona within the 1st leg of this tie. Of course, a visit to the Nou Camp can give a considerably harder take a look at than their alternative recent games, however given their recent kind, and Barcelona's loss to Real, Chelsea can fancy their probabilities of inflicting another upset.
Chelsea come into being defensively within the 1st leg of this tie, hitting Barcelona on the counter attack to attain the sole goal of the sport. they're going to most likely do a similar once more here, however the pitch at the Nou Camp is even larger and Barcelona are extraordinarily smart at stretching alternative groups so as to form area to play their passing game. they're going to play with extraordinarily high intensity, pressing Chelsea high up the pitch into making a gift of possession and hoping to induce a slip from their opposition. Barcelona might have lost a handful of games, however there's no reason to panic. they need the most effective cluster of players within the world and can need to trust in themselves to urge the result they have to form it to the ultimate.
FC Barcelona 2-0 Chelsea
