Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona: 3 things we learned
Barcelona and Chelsea played to a 1-1 draw in the Champions League round of 16 first leg. Here are three things we learned from the match.
Chelsea and Barcelona drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie. Barcelona have the aggregate advantage on away goals heading into the second leg at Camp Nou, but here’s what we learned from the first leg.
“Conte Out” supporters are ignorant
Throughout Chelsea’s recent struggles, the talk of Antonio Conte’s exodus from the club has picked up. Following recent losses to Arsenal, Bournemouth and Watford, a select group of Blues fans called for the Italian’s head. Thus the “#ConteOut” movement began. It’s been a rather silly movement — unlike the “#WengerOut” campaign at Arsenal — but has gained steam regardless.
However, the match against Barcelona proves these supporters are ignorant. Conte took a lot of heat on social media for his lineup decisions before the match. He went with Eden Hazard as a false 9 up front and Antonio Rudiger over Gary Cahill at the back. Those decisions couldn’t have worked any better.
Although a series of mistakes from the Blues’ defense cost them dearly, the Blues looked the better side on the night. The front three consisting of Hazard, Willian and Pedro played well, especially on the counter-attack. Rudiger looked like a consistent starter for the Blues and Fabregas held his own in midfield. Chelsea found a breakthrough in the 62nd minute courtesy of Willian, but were ultimately brought down to Earth by Lionel Messi. The lineup risks worked out for the Blues as there’s still life heading into the second leg in Spain next month.
It’s too easy to focus on recent results. But remember, Conte’s the man who took a 10th-place Chelsea squad and turned them into Premier League champions a season later. He’s also the man who — barring a silly defensive mishap — would’ve given the Blues a 1-0 advantage heading to Barcelona. However, mistakes happen. Regardless, Conte’s tactics payed off and the Blues are still in a good position in the Champions League.
Messi can finally breathe
From the moment the results of the draw were finalized, all anyone could talk about was Lionel Messi’s history against Chelsea. His devastation following the 2012 loss in the Champions League semifinals and his goalscoring drought against the English side. While it’s true Messi hadn’t scored against the Blues in eight career matches, it felt as if the record had to come to an end at some point. And in poetic fashion, it did.
For over 70 minutes, the Blues — despite seeing very little of the ball — dominated the match. After two Willian shots smacked the post, the Blues found a breakthrough through the Brazilian in the 62nd minute. Chelsea took the lead and it seemed as if they’d see out the result the way they’d played for the first 62 minutes. However, a few defensive mistakes cost the Blues dearly. Messi found the back of the net on a neat finish from inside the box off a pass from Andres Iniesta.
The drought was over and Barcelona had an away goal. Throughout much of the match, Barcelona looked defeated and couldn’t find a way to break through the Chelsea defensive line. The Spanish side couldn’t find a spark and were staring defeat right in the face. However, Messi delivered as he so often has. The drought is now over. The Argentine is on the scoresheet for the first time in nine matches against the Blues and can now breathe as the quarterfinals are within reach.
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Fantastic second leg
If the first leg between Barcelona and Chelsea signified one thing, it’s that the second leg is going to live up to all the hype. The first leg produced must-see action from Stamford Bridge. History told fans it would be a fantastic fixture and it has been thus far. Now, the two sides head back to Camp Nou, the site of so many historic upsets and downfalls.
The narrative will likely remain the same. Barcelona, having gotten an away goal, will remain the favorites to advance. However, it’s hard to not remember the 2009 Champions League semifinals, where Fernando Torres netted the goal that sent Chelsea to the final. The tie has so much history. Now, mix the history with what the two teams gave fans in the first leg and this match looks to be an instant classic. The second leg between Chelsea and Barcelona is likely going to be another incredibly entertaining match between two of the world’s best clubs.
The Blues will likely take a different stance than the one they did in the first leg. As opposed to sitting back and letting Barcelona attack, they’ll likely do more of the attacking themselves. It’s all-or-nothing for Conte’s men as they need at least one goal to see themselves through to the next round. For Barcelona, they can take a page out of Chelsea’s book and defend. With more individual talent in their squad, Barcelona have a good chance at stopping the Blues and striking on the counter-attack. But regardless of which style, players or formation each team employs, the second leg is surely going to be one fans don’t want to miss.