Barcelona will host Chelsea at Camp Nou in the second leg of the Champions League last 16 of 2017/18, Thursday (15/3). Who will qualify for the quarterfinals is still quite difficult to guess.
Barcelona are very strong at home. But Barcelona have an unpleasant memory with this one opponent.
The first leg at Stamford Bridge was a 1-1 draw. At that time, Chelsea ahead through goals Willian, but can be equated by troops Ernesto Valverde through Lionel Messi. It was Messi's inaugural goal against the Blues in nine meetings.
Barcelona and Chelsea have 13 times faced in UEFA competition. Barcelona won three times, Chelsea four times, while six matches were draws drawn.
Prior to this, Barcelona met with Chelsea in the 2011/12 season semifinals. Barcelona were eliminated 2-3 on aggregate, losing 1-0 away, drawing 2-2 at home.
This time, Barcelona is seeded through to the quarter-finals.
In La Liga last weekend, Barcelona beat Malaga 2-0 through goals by Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho. Messi missed the game as the birth of his son. Against Chelsea, Messi will return to the starting line-up.
Chelsea had just beaten Crystal Palace 2-1 through goals by Willian and Martin Kelly's suicide in the Premier League. The victory left Antonio Conte's men breathing a sigh of relief, having in two previous matches beaten Manchester United and Manchester City respectively.
Conte should team up very well if you want to achieve positive results at Camp Nou. Eden Hazard seems to be the main pedestal in the line of attack.
The Blues is the Best