MESSI SAVES THE DAY

Lionel Messi scored his first away goal in the Champions League since November 2016 to hand Barcelona the advantage against Chelsea after the first leg at the Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. HT looks a few talking points from the game:

LEO ENDS DROUGHT

Messi got to the end of a brilliant cutback by Andres Iniesta to score his first goal against Chelsea, in his ninth match against them. Despite Chelsea limiting his chances, Messi managed to convert from his only attempt in the 75th minute.

The maestro though, was Barcelona’s best player on the night, making brilliant runs from the deep to try and create.

CARELESS BARCA

Barcelona’s midfield was guilty of conceding possession cheaply in the middle of the park on several occasions. This allowed Chelsea, who were without the ball for most of the game, to attack them on the counter. Hazard and Willian dangerously pushed forward on the flanks, and could well have doubled Chelsea’s lead.

BLUES TACTICALLY SOUND

Defenders Antonio Rudiger, Marcos Alonso, Victor Moses and Andreas Christensen, shielded by defensive midfielder N'Golo Kante put on an excellent showing. They were able to keep Messi and Luis Suarez quiet and read the game well to win possession back in key areas, thus

ricting the visitors.

WILLIAN SHINES

Willian was by far the most threatening player on the pitch, outshining teammate Eden Hazard, who was expected to lead Chelsea’s charge.

The Brazilian saw two attempts come off either post in the first half, before finally beating Marc-Andre ter Stegen with a superb low drive from outside the box. He did not allow Barcelona defenders any opportunity to get close to him, brilliantly making space to get the shots away.