Barcelona vs Chelsea, Champions League - as it happened
Re-live all the action from the Camp Nou
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea travel to Barcelona on Wednesday night for the second leg of their last-16 Champions League clash.
Camp Nou has been a particularly happy hunting ground for Chelsea in recent years, with their stunning 2-2 draw in 2012, a game that saw them progress to the final, standing out as a pivotal moment in their triumphal Champions League campaign.
Chelsea had been struggling in the Premier League prior to Saturday, having lost four of their last five league games, though a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace will have given Antonio Conte’s side some renewed confidence as they prepare to face a Barcelona side who are unbeaten in the league throughout their current campaign (W22 D6).
For Antonio Conte, with his side four points adrift of fourth placed Liverpool, progression in the Champions League itself could well be Chelsea’s best chance of qualifying for the competition in 2018/19. As such, Wednesday night takes on added significance for the Italian and the club.
Follow all the action below in our live blog:
Match preview
What time does it start?
Barcelona vs Chelsea kicks off at 19:45 on Wednesday 14 March.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 19:45. Coverage starts at 19:00.
It’s a big game for…
Antonio Conte. For Chelsea’s Italian maestro, the last few weeks have presented numerous challenges which his side have coped with in differing degrees of efficiency. Last weekend’s victory against Crystal Palace was important to allowing the Blues to get back on track domestically, though Wednesday night presents a chance for Conte’s side to progress on the European stage.
Weird/best stat…
It has been over 12 years since Barcelona last beat Chelsea in the Champions League, dating back to their 2-1 victory in February 2006.
Remember when…
In arguably one of the greatest Champions League games ever, Chelsea came from behind to advance to the 2012 UCL final with a 2-2 draw against Barcelona. Re-live the game here.
Player to watch…
Willian. After scoring in the first-leg tie at Stamford Bridge and with six league goals in the current campaign, Willian could be set to make yet another vital contribution at the Camp Nou. Willian hit the bar twice before scoring his goal in the first leg, and Conte will be hoping for improved efficiency from the Brazilian forward in the second leg on Wednesday.
Past three meetings…
Chelsea 1 Barcelona 1, Champions League, February 2018
Barcelona 2 Chelsea 2, Champions League, April 2012
Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0, Champions League, April 2012
Form guide…
Barcelona: WDWDWW
Chelsea: WWDLLW
Odds…
Barcelona to win: 21/50
Draw: 19/5
Chelsea to win: 7/1
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Barcelona vs Chelsea from the Camp Nou!
The Champions League last-16 tie is finely poised after last month's 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge but La Liga leaders Barca are the firm favourites to progress.
We'll have the team news for you in around five minutes' time.
Barcelona team news
Starting XI: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Rakitic; Dembele, Messi, Suarez
Subs: Cillessen, Paulinho, Paco Alcácer, Digne, André Gomes, Aleix Vidal, Vermaelen
Chelsea team news
Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Fabregas; Willian, Hazard, Giroud
Subs: Caballero, Cahill, Zappacosta, Emerson, Bakayoko, Pedro, Morata
Interesting that Olivier Giroud starts ahead of Alvaro Morata for the Blues tonight. Spaniard Morata is clearly not Antonio Conte's cup of tea and, being a former Real Madrid player, this omission will hurt him deeply.
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