With Chelsea currently lying fifth in the Premier League table, they are facing something of an uphill struggle if they are to finish in the top four at the end of the season and with that be rewarded with a return to the Champions league.
It may well be that winning this season’s edition of the competition offers them their best chance of being back in Europe’s elite next season. However, standing in their way between them and continental glory are Barcelona as to the two teams prepare to face off at the Camp Nou for the second leg of their Round of 16 tie.
The first leg saw honours even at Stamford Bridge and it was arguably a game that Chelsea should have won, Brazilian international Willian did eventually get on the scoresheet that night but will count himself less fortunate that he also struck the woodwork twice.
Had Chelsea had more fortune go their way then they would be taking a first leg advantage to Catalonia, then again at this level you make your own luck and they can only have themselves to blame for the fact that they are not.
Antonio Conte’s men made one defensive lapse all night and when the opposition includes Lionel Messi in their ranks then it is one that is going to be seized. This was the case as the diminutive Argentine scored the crucial goal that means the tie is all square going into the return.
Not only that but Barcelona have the all-important away goal, something that will undoubtedly but them in the box seat. This also means that Chelsea are going to have to score at least once, a feat that is easier said than done when going up against Ernesto Valverde’s men.
The current La Liga leaders are yet to lose a single league game this season and currently find themselves eight points clear of nearest rivals Atletico Madrid. It now looks a case of not just when they will lift the title once more but can become invincibles also and go the whole campaign unbeaten.
They come into this clash having picked up an away win over Malaga on Saturday, goals from Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho were enough to earn all three points as the two ex-Liverpool players showed that the team are more than capable of winning even without Lionel Messi on the pitch.
Messi withdraw from the game due to the birth of his son, but he is set to return for the visit of Chelsea. Who themselves come into this game off the back of earning all three points at the weekend. However, they had to work slightly harder for theirs.
They were pitted against Crystal Palace in a hotly contested London derby, goals from Willian and a Martin Kelly own goal but the defending league champions on their way and although Patrick Van Aanholt scored a late consolation for the Eagles, it was not going to stop the home side from winning.
A statement I believe will ring true when these sides face off, Barcelona have been a class apart both domestically and continentally this season and although Chelsea tested them in the first leg they will regret not killing them off. Forebet predicts that Barcelona will win this close encounter and move on to the Quarter-finals.