Predicted Chelsea Lineup To Face Barcelona In The Champions League
A special fixture will unfold when Chelsea host FC Barcelona on Tuesday night as they look to end the season on a high after having drawn themselves out of the league title challenge.
Ernesto Valverde’s side are the team to beat but are aware of the threat posed by an Antonio Conte structured team. The La Liga runaway leaders will know that Stamford Bridge is not one of the easiest places to play football.
Having rediscovered their form after a couple of convincing wins, the Blues will accept the challenge and go out there to fight fire with fire. Head to head, Chelsea have won four out of the 12 played between them whereas Barcelona have won three. There have been five draws too.
Team News
Ross Barkley remains out for the first leg, which is a bit of a loss for the Blues. Tiemoue Bakayoko is sidelined, which might turn out to be good news, given his poor form.
Otherwise, Antonio Conte has a full squad to choose from.
Probable Chelsea XI
Conte has a few selection headaches but will mostly choose players based on recent form and not calibre. We should expect a team full of players who have earned their spot for a start against Barcelona. The more time Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard spend with the ball, the better it is for the Blues.
Manager: Antonio Conte
Formation: 3-4-3
GK: Thibaut Courtois
Courtois will return in goal for Chelsea. He will have to be on top of his game this time around, especially when facing Messi and co.
RCB: Cesar Azpilicueta
The reliable and formidable Azpilicueta will return to the starting line up, without any doubt and play as one of the centre-backs.
CB: Andreas Christensen
Christensen has become the number one centre-back for Conte and his awareness and composure will grant him a start at the heart of the defence.
LCB: Antonio Rudiger
Rudiger has put up a string of impressive performances. He covers ground quickly and is solid at the back, which would be required given the attacking talent of Barcelona.
RWB: Victor Moses
Moses will play at right wing back. The former Wigan man will come into this game in a rich vein of form.
CM: N’Golo Kante
The Frenchman was rested against Hull which simply means he will start in midfield. Kante will have to run the extra yard and play his best game to thump Barcelona.
CM: Cesc Fabregas
The former Barca man would need to put the emotions aside and spread the play with his diverse range of passing.
LWB: Marcos Alonso
Alonso will return to the left wing-back role as Conte claimed that he is available. If he can line up a few crosses and key touches in the opposition box, the Blues could well be in it for the win.
RW: Willian
Willian’s recent performances for the Blues will might just give him an edge over Pedro, even though the former Barcelona man might have a point to prove against his former employers.
LW: Eden Hazard
Hazard is the man who Chelsea would be looking to for their attacks to start. The Belgian has to be on the top of his game to perform well, and hopefully, he will give Barcelona a tough time.
ST: Olivier Giroud
Giroud will start ahead of a not 100% fit Morata. He has one goal and three assists in his first two starts for Chelsea, and with the Blues not having many options up front, this will be the Frenchman’s time to shine.