Chelsea vs Barcelona: Champions League round of 16, first leg – as it happened
Match report: Messi scores first goal against Chelsea to hand Barca advantage
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Your support makes all the difference.If at first you don't succeed the saying goes and it proved fitting for Willian and Lionel Messi as both scored in an absorbing 1-1 draw between Chelsea and Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday.
Chelsea's outstanding performer Willian could hardly believe his bad luck as twice before halftime he rattled the woodwork.
But the Brazilian was finally rewarded for his persistence in the 62nd minute when he fired Chelsea into the lead on an electrifying night at Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona's talisman Messi had fired blanks on eight previous occasions against Chelsea, most notably in a shock semi-final defeat six years ago, and he rarely had a glimpse of goal on his ninth meeting with the Londoners.
When home defender Andreas Christensen suffered a rush of blood in the 75th minute, however, Messi pounced.
Relive the game below with our live blog:
PREVIEW
What time does it start?
Kick-off is at 7.45pm , on Tuesday February 20.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be broadcast live on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 4K UHD.
It’s a big game for…
Antonio Conte. It has been a difficult few weeks for Antonio Conte. After not-to-subtle remarks regarding his limited influence on transfers, the Italian has presided over a malaise in form that was compounded by a heavy defeat to Watford two weeks ago. With rumours rising apace regarding his future, success against Barcelona will take the pressure off, for now.
Best stat…
Lionel Messi doesn’t normally have too many issues in front of goal but he does against the Blues. The Argentine magician has yet to score against the West London club in his last eight attempts. He will hope to change that on Tuesday.
Remember when...
Andres Iniesta silences Stamford Bridge with a late equaliser to dump Jose Mourinho’s side out of the tournament on away goals.
Player to watch
Eden Hazard. There will be a plethora of stars on show at the Bridge but its Chelsea’s most valuable asset who will be in the spotlight on Tuesday night. With Alvaro Morata inconsistent in front of goal the Blues have come to rely on their Belgian talisman more than ever. Against a Barcelona side who are known under Ernesto Valverde for being just as formidable defensively as they are going forward, the Blues will need him at his best if they hope to progress.
Past three-meetings
Barcelona 2 (Busquets, Iniesta) Chelsea 2 (Ramires, Torres), Champions League Semi-Final, April 2012
Chelsea 1 (Drogba) Barcelona 0, Champions League Semi-Final, April 2012
Chelsea 1 (Essien) Barcelona 1 (Iniesta), Champions League Semi-Final, May 2009
Form Guide
Chelsea: WWLLW
Barcelona: WDWDW
Odds
Chelsea: 11/4
Barcelona: 7/6
Draw: 5/2
Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the tie of the Champions League last 16: Chelsea vs Barcelona.
Team news is due to arrive in around 15 minutes times and all eyes will be on the strikers. Does Antonio Conte go with Alvaro Morata or Olivier Giroud?
Team News
Okay scrap that 15 minute team news warning, Barcelona have already released their lineup.
Team News
Philippe Coutinho is cup-tied having already played for Liverpool in the Champions League so he misses out. Ernesto Valverde has named an unchanged team from Barcelona's 2-0 victory against Eibar.
Team News
We're still waiting for Chelsea's fancy social media team lineup but here it is in old fashioned text form.
Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Hazard, Pedro.
Chelsea vs Barcelona
So there's no Olivier Giroud or Alvaro Morata for Chelsea which means Eden Hazard will play as a 'false nine'. How do you think that could work out?
Team News
Here's the fancy Chelsea team news graphic, right on cue.
Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata are both on the bench while Ross Barkley misses out altogether. Cesar Azpilicueta captains the side with Gary Cahill settling for a place on the bench.
Team News
So that's seven changes in total from Chelsea's 4-0 victory against Hull in the FA Cup on Friday. Antonio Rudiger, Cesc Fabregas, Willian and Pedro are the only players to retain their places and Marcos Alonso returns from a knock.
Old Friends
Both Cesc Fabregas and Pedro start against their former employers this evening. The pair both played at Barcelona in their youth careers, but it's Pedro who has the most honours with Catalonia club. He won five league titles, three Champions Leagues, two Club World Cups and a host of other trophies during the club's golden years.
'Best in the world'
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has been full of praise for this evening's visitors.
"This team is one of the best in the world - maybe they are favourites to win this competition," said the Italian. "On the other hand we must be excited because we have a great opportunity to play a massive game against a really strong team and to show which is our level," he added. "We have to try to have the perfect game."
Barcelona wanted to avoid
Ernesto Valverde has admitted that Barcelona wanted Chelsea to win their group which would mean the two would avoid each other in this round.
"“They’re the Premier League champions, a very strong team there on merit. English teams this year are in incredible form, much better than in previous years," the Barcelona manager said, "Chelsea might be the same. We know that, because the English have such a strong league, they’ll all be up there competing.”
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