Barcelona vs Chelsea | Match Preview | Champions League 2nd leg

Barcelona vs Chelsea is the match of this week. Chelsea plays Barcelona at Camp Nou in the champions league 2nd leg. After a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are clearly under pressure as Barcelona has an away goal advantage. The fact that Chelsea needs to attack at Camp Nou is a daunting task , but history might repeat itself and Chelsea might end up going through. A highly entertaining encounter is on our hands.

With this in mind here are key talking points for Barcelona vs Chelsea

5) Iniesta's fitness will be a question

Andres Iniesta limped off during the Atlético Madrid  encounter. He has been seen training ahead of the Barcelona vs Chelsea game. The fact that he has just come out of injury, might determine how plays against Chelsea. Against a quality team like Chelsea in such a crucial match, Barcelona fans will hope he plays full 90 minutes without re-injuring himself. Chelsea players might capitalize on his injury and be hard against him to get him substitute again or very easily Iniesta might not be in full flow as well. He is very crucial to Barcelona, and if he injures himself again, might affect rest of Barcelona's season.

4) Chelsea's forward line selection will be a headache for Conte

The fact that Chelsea need to score to progress in Champions League is a big task. It gets bigger for Conte as he has to select and trust the attack line which will do it. Going again with the same attack of Willian and Pedro at wings with Hazard as the striker, will not do anything for Chelsea. They need to have a target man in this match. But the question again is Morata or Giroud. Morata has lacked a bit of form, and that might make Conte put Giroud in. Giroud is a better target man, who makes the player around him play off him. The only surety looks like are Hazard and Willian. This selection will be giving Conte a big headache.  

3) Will Barcelona play pragmatic ?

After a long time a manager has come in Barcelona, who values result alot. Ernesto Valverde has transformed this Barcelona team. They might not be as pleasing to the eyes as they were before, but their is no denying that they are more solid. Valverde believes in collective team defence and that is the reason why they have been successful so far this season. He plays in a result oriented way and doesn't like to create unnecessary problem for the team. It was obvious against Juventus at Turin, when they knew a draw is enough for them to top the group. This kind of attitude has not been seen in Barcelona in along time. The fact that they just need a 0-0 draw to qualify, makes it even more possible that Valverde and his team won't take unnecessary risks. Soon this question will be answered as well. If Barcelon do get through then they will be a threat to any team in the quarterfinals.

2) Lionel Messi will be the key

Like the last game, Messi will be expected to play a big role in this match. The fact that he has finally scored against Chelsea will give him immense confidence to do it again at the Nou Camp. Due to the birth of his 3rd child, Messi missed the game against Malaga. This means Messi will be absolutely fresh for this game. Due to his form this season,he will attract nearly all the Chelsea defenders and that will open space for other to play from Messi. The fact that Chelsea needs to attack, means they will have to leave space in defence that Messi might exploit. Like always, Messi will be the key man and if he is at his best then Chelsea nor any other team will defeat Barcelona. 

1) Defeat will affect both teams

With Chelsea 4 points adrift from Champions League spot for next season, it is increasingly important for them to win this game. The confidence that this victory will give, might just help Chelsea finish in top 4 this season. A defeat however will hamper any moment to land the top 4 spot and subsequently miss out of the Champions League next season. For a club like Chelsea not winning the Premier League is already a big deal but not to qualify for Champions League is embarrassment. They will hope to win this tie and progress further in the tournament and capitalize on the moment to finish in top 4.

Barcelona on the other hand are nearly looking to win the Laliga and are expected to qualify for the

quarter finals of Champions League. Getting knocked out from the Round of 16 will be embarrassment for a team who only aspires to win this tournament. Given the fact that Real Madrid are through the next round after eliminating Champions League favourites PSG, will sting them more. A quarterfinal is a bare minimum for Barcelona and its supporters and loosing this tie might cause a serious unrest in the team.

This Barcelona vs Chelsea match is the match of this week and we can expect fireworks. 

Barcelona vs Chelsea, historically has always lived up to the expectations and this will not be any different. 

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Refer to Champions League section for more articles on it.