Antonio Conte

Chelsea v Barcelona: Why the Blues can win in the Champions League

19:58 · TUE February 20, 2018

They've had some ding-dong battles down the years, but Barcelona arriving at Stamford Bridge might just be a good thing for Antonio Conte's Chelsea.

Runaway La Liga leaders Barcelona shouldn't be the last team Chelsea want to see arriving at Stamford Bridge in Tuesday’s Champions league encounter given their soap opera rivalry down the years, but the tie could be just what Antonio Conte needs.

Chelsea and Barcelona have met 12 times in the Champions League and almost every game was packed with drama and controversy, and more of the same could be coming up in their latest last 16 meeting.

The visitors sit seven points clear at the summit of LaLiga while English champions Chelsea are languishing 19 points behind Manchester City with Conte seemingly on an uneasy footing with the owner.

With tension going on in the background Barcelona arrive as odds-on favourites - check out Sky Bet's odds - to qualify for the quarter-finals. With their backs against the wall, though, the tie could offer Conte a huge opportunity and there are a number of reasons for fans to be hopeful...

Head-to-head record

Drogba's rant, Iniesta's winner, Ronaldinho's toe-poke, Torres' breakaway... 👀

Chelsea vs. Barcelona is a modern classic and tonight they meet again on BT Sport 🙌 pic.twitter.com/L7d69yqk1q
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 20, 2018

It’s easy to remember just a few of the big controversies in their meetings and forget about the bare facts of the matter. Yes, Barcelona have gone through three of the five times they’ve met in the knockout stages, but it’s always been close.

In the straight head-to-head record, Chelsea have won four of their 12 meetings, losing just three and drawing five. They’re also unbeaten in the last seven games between the sides.

Both teams have scored 18 goals each and Barcelona have somehow translated just one win in eight games into two overall victories – one coming via away goals. Chelsea won the last tie though – memorably sealed by Fernando Torres in another blockbuster back in 2012.

Messi drought

Lionel Messi may not be relishing a tie with Chelsea as they’ve done a remarkable job in bottling up the Argentinian magician as he’s not scored in the eight games he’s faced them – that’s the most he’s played against any team and failed to score.

Lionel Messi shows his frustration

Messi’s never had much problem finding the back of the net – he’s got 27 already this season – but Chelsea have certainly become his bogey team and don’t think for one second he’s unaware of this particular statistic heading into the tie.

One of his lowest moments came when he crashed a penalty against the bar in that 2012 tie as Chelsea went through to eventually win the Champions League in Munich. He’ll be looking to put those demons to bed once and for all but could Chelsea have his number?

Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois is also well versed in keeping Messi at bay while playing for Atletico Madrid – as he failed to score in four games as Atletico pipped them to the title and knocked them out of the Champions League.

Nothing to lose

With the league title out of sight, the Champions League could actually be a welcome relief for Conte and his squad, and although they’re always expected to perform at Stamford Bridge this is one of the very few occasions when they’re underdogs in their own backyard.

Playing the underdog role can often free up teams, and although they’re unlikely to go forcing the pace against Barcelona they’ll be happy to scrap and fight all the way even though it means conceding the majority of possession.

Recent ties have been decided by just the odd goal here and there. This Barca team have a rock-solid defence this season as well, conceding just 11 goals in the league this season, so keeping a clean sheet is vital as goals could be at a premium.

Conte tactics

The FA Cup and Champions League are now Conte’s only chances of silverware this season, and as such he’s been doing some thorough preparation for this tie.

He’s admitted that he started analysing Barcelona a month ago and believes he knows how to exploit their weaknesses.

Barcelona have won just two of their last seven Champions League away days so can be vulnerable away from the Nou Camp and Conte is sure to have his tactics finely tuned for their arrival.

If their preparation is anything to go by, Chelsea will have a great chance of upsetting the odds of the team can execute the Conte gameplan.

Scar tissue

There are only a handful of players who contested the last meeting in 2012 who could get on the pitch this time around, and only two for Chelsea in Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas – who lined up for Barca last time.

Messi, Iniesta, Pique and Busquets still remember the old Chelsea containing Lampard, Terry and Drogba, but it’s a different proposition for them this time around.

With those memories also comes a certain amount of scar tissue from hurtful defeats, and that can soon transform into doubt if things aren’t going your way during the tie. These players should be experienced enough to cope with it but you never know.