Chelsea will step out at Camp Nou on Tuesday evening attempting to eliminate Barcelona and secure what had previously seemed an unlikely place in the UEFA Champions League final.
The Premier League club only just qualified from Group E after a nervy first half of the campaign, which, along with the managerial reign of Andre Villas-Boas, now seems a lifetime ago.
Interim first-team coach Roberto Di Matteo has overseen a remarkable turnaround in fortunes and following their much-discussed, disciplined and strategic 1-0 semi-final first-leg win over defending kings of Europe, Barcelona, the final is within reach.
Didier Drogba's excellent goal at Stamford Bridge gives Chelsea their narrow advantage and it will take a heroic effort if they are to fend off Pep Guardiola's much-heralded stars of the likes of Lionel Messi, Andreas Iniesta and Xavi.
Following their weekend defeat to Real Madrid, the Primera Liga title is slipping away from Barcelona and so retaining the Champions League has been a top priority for Guardiola, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer.
Controversy
The managerial speculation and uncertainty regarding Chelsea continues to rumble and Guardiola, along with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho, is said to be a main target, but it would appear impossible to ignore Di Matteo if he earns a final spot.
Meanwhile, Referee Cuneyt Cakir could play a key part in the contest and goalkeeper Petr Cech has backed the 35-year-old Turk, who is taking charge of his first knockout-stage match.
Chelsea versus Barcelona clashes have been dogged by refereeing controversy since the sides first met in the competition seven years ago and the former are still stinging from their away goals elimination in 2009.
Barcelona's three-time Ballon d'Or winner, Messi, is expected to feature against Chelsea after returning to training on Monday following a 'gastric problem'.
Alexis Sanchez went off with a thigh knock in the first leg, but came on as a second-half substitute against Real.
Guardiola has played down rumours of a rift with Gerard Pique, who has not featured since straining his left thigh against AC Milan on 3rd April, but the defender has been an unused substitute for Barcelona's last three games.
David Villa was ruled out for the season after breaking his left leg at the Club World Cup on 15th December.
Chelsea will assess Didier Drogba before deciding on their starting XI after the striker missed Saturday's Premier League game at Arsenal with a knee injury.
The Ivory Coast star travelled with the squad to Spain on Monday and trained at Camp Nou that evening.
Defender David Luiz also made the trip, despite appearing to have been ruled out for at least another week with a hamstring injury.
No comments:
Post a Comment