Barcelona vs Chelsea, Champions League - as it happened
Re-live all the action from the Camp Nou
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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
27' - Luis Suarez has a chance to make it 3-0 to Barca after a slick move down the left wing but Thibaut Courtois denies him with a smart stop.
33' - Cesar Azpilicueta tries to find Olivier Giroud with a lofted cross into the box but the ball is too close to Marc-Andre ter Stegen and the Barcelona stopper catches it with ease.
35' - Barcelona are cruising here and Chelsea are looking like they'll need a miracle to get through. But, remember, a miracle is what they produced in 2012 when they came from 2-0 down with 10 men to draw 2-2 and reach the Champions League final.
38' - Two chances in quick succession for Chelsea!
First of all Marcos Alonso shoots straight at the goalkeeper from Willian's cut-back before N'Golo Kante slots a left-footed finish just past Marc-Andre ter Stegen's far post from close range!
Chelsea really should be back in the game!
44' - Olivier Giroud is fouled on the edge of the box by Samuel Umtiti and Chelsea have a free-kick in a really threatening position here.
45' - Close! Marcos Alonso almost halves Barcelona's lead but his free-kick clatters off the outside of the post and goes behind for a goal-kick!
Half-time - Barcelona 2-0 Chelsea (Agg: 3-1)
Barcelona have one foot in the last eight thanks to first-half goals from Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele.
48' - Thibaut Courtois gifts the ball to Luis Suarez but redeems himself immediately as he blocks the Uruguayan's shot with his legs.
49' - Chelsea have a huge appeal for a penalty turned down after Marcos Alonso goes down in the box under a challenge from Gerard Pique.
Would've been soft, that one.
To add insult to injury, Olivier Giroud is then booked for the nature of his protestations to the referee.
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