Messi aims to end barren streak
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Chelsea will be on their toes against Barca talisman, who hasn’t scored against them in eight games
LONDON: As unlikely as it sounds, Lionel Messi is still waiting to score his first goal against Chelsea after drawing a blank in eight previous Champions League matches.
The five-time World Player of the Year is likely to get another chance to break his duck this week and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believes the past will count for little when Barcelona visits Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. “I hope we maintain this tradition but we are speaking about a fantastic player,” Conte said ahead of the last-16, first-leg Champions League game. “The most important thing is the present.”
“We must have great respect but at the same time we must be excited to play this type of game and take on the challenge. It won’t be easy because we know we are talking about one of the best in the world.”
The teams have produced some epic games in the past although they have not met in the Champions League since Chelsea pulled off a remarkable backs-tothe-wall semifinal victory over Barcelona on the way to winning the trophy in 2012.
Messi missed a penalty in the second leg at the Nou Camp as the London club overcame the firsthalf dismissal of captain John Terry, and a 2-0 deficit, to draw the game 2-2 and secure an unforgettable 3-2 aggregate win.
Two weeks ago, the prospect of a Chelsea win over Barca would have been unthinkable after Conte’s men had slumped to successive defeats by two of the Premier Leagues lesser lights.
The London club was still smarting from a 3-0 home loss against Bournemouth when it travelled to Watford and succumbed to an embarrassing 4-1 reverse. Chelsea has got back on track since then, though, easing past West Brom 3-0 in the league last Monday before swatting aside Hull 4-0 in the FA Cup.
Conte has several selection dilemmas. He must choose between captain Gary Cahill and Antonio Rudiger for a place at the back, and between Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud up front.
says he is happy to stay on at Stamford Bridge, speculations have grown with each passing day of the Belgian leaving for greener pastures.
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.
of very impressive midfields. While Chelsea have N’golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas in their ranks, Barcelona have Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Paulinho.
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. and Michy Batshuayi failed to impress Conte and have been packed off. New signing
(in pic) started with a bang but faded soon while January recruit Olivier Giroud is still finding his feet at his new home.
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.
Messi has going without scoring against Chelsea in the Champions League 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.
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