BLOCKBUSTER ON THE CARDS
Chelsea and Barcelona have dished out potboilers whenever they have clashed in the Champions League. With sparks expected to fly in Tuesday night’s round of 16 clash as well, HT looks at how both teams are placed going into the encounter at Stamford Bridge:
CAN HAZARD LEAD CHELSEA’S CHARGE?
While Eden Hazard says he is happy to stay on at Stamford Bridge, speculations have grown with each passing day of the Belgian leaving for greener pastures.
If he leaves, Chelsea have themselves to blame as Hazard has been their shining light while many of their key players' forms have been up and down. Coach Antonio Conte will bank on Hazard to come up with the goods against an in-form Barcelona side.
MIDFIELD DUEL
Both sides boast of very impressive midfields. While Chelsea have N’golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas in their ranks, Barcelona have Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Paulinho.
While all the focus will be on Messi and Hazard, the work rate put in by their respective midfields will go a long way in deciding the fate of the match. The Barcelona midfield has been consistent compared to
Chelsea but with the latter enjoying a good record against the visitors, that’s the exact tonic the Blues will need to turn around their season.
ISSUES UPFRONT
Diego Costa and Michy Batshuayi failed to impress Conte and have been packed off. New signing Alvaro Morata (in pic) started with a bang but faded soon while January recruit Olivier Giroud is still finding his feet at his new home.
For Chelsea, not having a striker firing on full throttle has cost them throughout the season. While they have created chances, the end result has been dismal and Conte will expect them to be more lethal against the Catalans.
WILL MESSI END BARREN SPELL?
It is not often that Lionel Messi endures a barren run in front of goal and he will hope to get back among goals when Barcelona travel to London. While he hasn’t scored in eight Champions League ties against Chelsea, he has also gone without scoring in the last five games in all competitions. Messi’s goals have played a major role in Barcelona’s run this season and if Barcelona have to make deep inroads in Europe’s elite club competition, coach Ernesto Valverde (below) will hope that he finds his scoring boots sooner rather than later.
655 minutes
Messi has going without scoring against Chelsea in the Champions League
UNBEATEN STREAK
Only time will tell whether Barcelona’s recent below-par displays is down to them losing rhythm or they are just conserving their energy before the final assault. But one thing for sure is that they haven’t looked that settled in the last few years.
While their season had got off to a poor start, losing in both legs of Spanish Super Cup to arch-rivals Real Madrid, they have recovered well to harbour hopes of a treble