CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NIGHT: ROUND OF 16 BARCELONA VS CHELSEA

It was another lovely night of football. Barcelona, a team I must confess I have much love for mainly because of Lionel Messi hosted Chelsea. The first leg tie took place at the Stamford bridge in London, ending 1 - 1. Willian opening the scoring after threatening a couple of times. Before Messi equalised after Iniesta had capitalised on an error made by Chelsea to set him up.
With an away goal and the second tie at the magnificent Camp nou, you could say Barcelona had the upper had in what was still a pretty open contest.

Barcelona, the only team left unbeaten in Europe's top 5 leagues and coached by Ernesto Valverde went with a 4-4-2 formation which has been a familiar choice under their new coach.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (GK); Sergi Roberto (RB), Gerard Pique (CB), Samuel Umtiti (CB), Jordi Alba (LB); Ousmane Dembele (RM), Ivan Rakitic (CM), Sergio Busquets (CM), Andres Iniesta (LM); Lionel Messi (ST), Luis Suarez (ST). But as expected Barcelona's attack morphed as the game progressed.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte went with his favoured 3-4-3 formation.
Thibaut Courtois (GK); Cesar Azpilicueta (RCB), Andreas Christensen (CB), Antonio Rudiger (LCB); Victor Moses (RWB), Cesc Fabregas (CM), N'Golo Kante (CM), Marcos Alonso (LWB); Willian (RW), Olivier Giroud (CF), Eden Hazard (LW).

It was a sizzling start to the first half. Barcelona taking an early lead through Messi. It was as early as the 3rd minute when Messi tried a quick one-two with Dembele. The ball deflecting off Christensen and running fortunately into the path of Suarez who found Messi with a delicate flick. Messi burying from close range with a right footed shot that went in at the near post through the legs of Courtois.

Chelsea remained positive after the early goal, trying to go forward themselves and pressing Barcelona high up the pitch. This opened up a few chances for them to whip in some lovely crosses which Barcelona dealt with quite well. Giroud going close early after Rudiger's cushioned ball to him. It wouldn't have counted though as Rudiger was in an offside position.
Willian also coming close after being step up by Hazard forcing Ter Stegen into a low diving save.

Barcelona would soon score with what was their second shot of the game. Barça robbing Fabregas at the halfway line and with Messi on hand weaving his way past Christensen and Azpilicueta before teeing up Dembele who put Barça 2 goals up with a powerful right footed drive into the top right corner.

Barça continued to probe with Iniesta setting Suarez up with a lovely back heel towards the half hour mark. Suarez trying to beat Courtois at the near post but the goalkeeper was up to the task.
Soon after, Pique was presented with an opportunity by Messi but he failed to connect. It was a set piece delivered by the Argentine maestro after winning a freekick.
Iniesta going wide again after some lovely passes in what was probably Barça's last chance of the first half in the 38th minute.
It was all Chelsea in the closing stages of the half. Attacking at very chance they had but the Barcelona defence which has become far more resilient under the new coach held firm. Blocking shots and low crosses.
At the end of the half, Alonso hit the wrong side of the post from a set piece which had been won by Giroud on the edge of Barça's area after a clumsy challenge from Umtiti.

The second half started in a similar fashion to the conclusion of the first. There were quick chances for both teams. Willian's shot blocked by Umtiti, Courtois dealing with a Suarez strike and Dembele with a brilliant slide tackle to dispossess Alonso right before the defender could take a shot after Giroud had brilliantly teed him up.
Moments later, Chelsea were denied a controversial penalty when Alonso appeared to have clumsily fallen under the challenge of Umtiti. Giroud earning a yellow card for complaining about the referee's decision.
Chelsea continued to push on for a way back into the game mainly through Willian who was their star in the first leg.

Iniesta was replaced by Paulinho early in the second half and was joined on the bench about 5 minutes later by Busquets. Busquets who was replaced by Andre Gomes seemed to have picked up and injury after contesting an air ball with Giroud.

Chelsea still continued to be positive and around the 60th minute Alonso was once again set up to take a shot from inside the Barça area. It was Pique with the block this time to deny Chelsea from testing Ter Stegen yet again.

Messi would soon put what would be the final nail in the coffin in the 63th minute. Scoring once more through the legs of Courtois after receiving the ball from Suarez and driving into the Chelsea area.

Chelsea reacted with a double substitution. Morata and Zappacosta replacing Giroud and Moses.
Barça would also take off Dembele for Vidal in what ways their last change.

The match was won at this point and Barça didn't do much attacking. Pedro was Chelsea's final late substitute. Coming on for Hazard.

Few chances followed but there were no goals

Match Ratings:
Barça :
Ter Stegen 7.5
Roberto 6.5
Pique 7
Umtiti 7.5
Alba 7.5
Dembele 8
Rakitic 7.5
Busquets 7
Iniesta 7.5
Messi 9.5
Suarez 8.5
Subs; Paulinho 7, Gomes 6, Vidal 6.5

Chelsea:
Courtois 4.5
Azpilicueta 5.5
Christensen 5.5
Rudiger 6
Moses 5.5
Fabregas 6
Kante 8
Alonso 6.5
Willian 7
Giroud 5.5
Hazard 6
Subs: Zappacosta, Morata - 6, Pedro - nil (late cameo)

Teams that have qualified for Quarter Finals

Liverpool
Manchester City
Juventus
Real Madrid
Sevilla
AS Roma
Bayern and
Barcelona