Barca you just show any fear
Pedro said: “It’s difficult, he’s the best player in the world. But he’s not invincible.
“If the team are focused on fighting together, you never know. We’ll have possibilities but, it’s Barcelona, it’s Leo Messi.
“You can learn from a player like Messi. You try to take on his movement and skills. But he’s on another level. It’s very difficult to copy him. For him, it’s instinctive and he’s unique.
“To have played with him is something to tell my sons. It’s very difficult to stop this guy (3-4-3) COURTOIS AZPILICUETA CHRISTENSEN CAHILL MOSES KANTE FABREGAS ALONSO PEDRO MORATA HAZARD because he’s very quick, very clever. But it’s not impossible.”
This tie is crucial for Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, whose whole future may hinge on this next spell in their season.
After this first leg of this last 16 clash, Chelsea travel to Manchester United and then league leaders Manchester City, and Crystal Palace before the return at the Nou Camp. The Italian, who has had a running battle with his board over transfers all season, is set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the campaign but if (4-4-2) TER STEGEN ROBERTO PIQUE UMTITI ALBA RAKITIC PAULINHO BUSQUETS INIESTA MESSI SUAREZ results go seriously against him over this spell, Blues owner Roman Abramovich’s patience could snap earlier.
Cesc Fabregas is another former Barca hero who will be trying to unhinge his former club but Pedro warned: “Barcelona are at the same level as they always were.
“Neymar has moved on but the style has not changed. They play the same way, trying to attack and move the ball quickly.”
Pedro won 20 major trophies at the Nou Camp after joining the club at 17, including three Champions League glories. He said: “It was an incredible
time with a special team. They’re one of the biggest teams in the world.
“It’s unbelievable playing with players like that. They’re so good. Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Samuel Eto’o. I learned so much from them.”
Unlike in 2012, there is no Terry or Frank Lampard holding the line for Chelsea, but Pedro is convinced there is still enough backbone to pull off another shock by ensuring one thing must not happen.
“If you start with fear, that hands it to them,” he said. 2004-05 Champions League (last 16) Barcelona 2 (Lopez, Eto’o) Chelsea 1 (Belletti og) Chelsea 4 (Gudjohnsen, Lampard, Duff, Terry) Barcelona 2 (Ronaldinho 2, 1 pen) (Chelsea won 5-4). 2005-06 Champions League (last 16) Chelsea 1 (Motta og) Barcelona 2 (Terry og, Eto’o) Barcelona 1 (Ronaldinho) Chelsea 1 (Lampard pen). (Barcelona won 3-2). 2006-07 Champions League SOLID DEFENCE The ability of a young player such as Andreas Christensen, above, to stay cool under pressure will be crucial and N’Golo Kante, in front of the defence, will have to be everywhere once again. In fact, more than everywhere. (group stage) Chelsea 1 (Drogba) Barcelona 0 Barcelona 2 (Deco, Gudjohnsen) Chelsea 2 (Lampard, Drogba) 2008-09 Champions League semi-final Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0 Chelsea 1 (Essien) Barcelona 1 (Iniesta). (Barcelona won on
away goals) 2011-12 Champions League semifinal Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0 (Drogba) Barcelona 2 (Busquets, Iniesta) Chelsea 2 (Ramires, Torres) (Chelsea won 3-2)
I’ll tell my sons I played with Messi