Chelsea v Barcelona: line-ups, Fantasy tips, form guide
Monday, February 19, 2018
Article summary
UEFA.com brings you all the essentials as former champions Chelsea and Barcelona write a new chapter in their European rivalry.
Article top media content
Article body
- Chelsea hold edge in past meetings – W4 D5 L3
- Messi yet to score in eight games against Blues
- Fàbregas and Pedro reunited with Barcelona
- Follow live build-up to the game right here
- How to watch the game where you are
Reporter's view: This will be tighter than most have predicted. Chelsea boast one of the best defences in England, and European progress has assumed added importance at Stamford Bridge given the recent domestic struggles. Impressive as results have been under Ernesto Valverde, Barcelona have been functional rather than spectacular. Much will depend on Lionel Messi; if he can break his curious duck against Chelsea, the Liga leaders should qualify. Keep the Argentinian quiet and Antonio Conte's side have more than a puncher's chance.
Possible line-ups
Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill; Moses, Kanté, Fàbregas, Alonso; Hazard, Pedro; Morata
Out: Barkley (hamstring), David Luiz (unspecified), Bakayoko (unspecified)
- Added to squad since group stage: Barkley, Giroud, Emerson
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Paulinho, Rakitić; Iniesta, Messi, Suárez
Out: Semedo (suspended), Vermaelen (muscular problem)
- Added to squad since group stage: Arnaiz, Costas, Mina
Fantasy Football top point scorers
Chelsea: Eden Hazard, midfielder (36 points, €10.7m)
Barcelona: Marc-André ter Stegen, goalkeeper (29 points, €6m)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Weekend results
Chelsea 4-0 Hull (FA Cup, round of 16)
Eibar 0-2 Barcelona
Form guide*
Chelsea: WWLLWL
Barcelona: WDWDWW
*All competitions, most recent first
Antonio Conte, Chelsea manager
We start this game as underdogs. We must pay great attention, but at the same time we must have ambition to play our football. We know Barcelona's characteristics. They like to have possession and dominate the game. We must be prepared to suffer without the ball, to be compact, not to lose our heads during the game. Then with the ball we try what we know, what we've tried during training.
Ernesto Valverde, Barcelona coach
Chelsea have a very distinct style of play, like most teams in the Premier League. We need to bear in mind that we're facing the reigning champions of England. It'll be tough, but it's an important game because we want to qualify. History counts, but it has little impact on the game. There's a little rivalry there, which might make it more exciting, but for us it's another Champions League match.
