Estevao made it three goals in his last three Champions League starts for Chelsea - PA/Bradley CollyerSam WallaceTue, November 25, 2025 at 10:48 PM UTC·29 min readb'
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There is a rich tradition in the recent history of modern Barcelona of brilliant players coming to Stamford Bridge to deliver something spectacular, although on this Champions League night that honour belonged to Chelsea’s own teenage sensation.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEstêvão, the club’s 18-year-old Brazilian, scored the kind of individual goal that was, in decades past, the hallmark of Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi. It was a dazzling burst of skill and a finish that marked another big night in the development of arguably the most in-form teenage talent playing in Europe. It sealed the win in an accomplished Chelsea performance against a Barcelona team that could not handle the pressure of the occasion.
Most of all, it gave Estêvão the certain edge over another luminous 18-year-old talent – the rather more established Lamine Yamal. On this night, Barcelona’s No 10 – its latest great academy talent – was conspicuously ineffective, but then the same could be said for so many of his team-mates.
Enzo Maresca is starting to produce some very good team performances, and this one was up there with the dismantling of Paris St-Germain in New Jersey over the summer and the recent win over Liverpool. Estêvão scored against Liverpool and against a Barcelona team down to ten men he was simply too much for the away side to handle. They had lost their captain Ronald Araújo to a foolish second yellow card at the end of the first half and yet, even before then, Estêvão was threatening to do something big.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHis goal was of the kind that few can pull off against this level of Champions League defender, slipping past Pau Cubarsi and then lashing a shot from the right side into the goal at an angle that offered no easy option. As for Yamal, he was summoned to the bench long before the end. His baleful glance at the substitutes’ board caught by the television close-up. This was not his night, and he will know better than any that it belonged to Estêvão.
That is six goals in nine games for Chelsea and Brazil for a player who could be one of the stars of the summer’s World Cup finals. This was an impressive Chelsea performance which squeezed the life out of Barcelona in possession and was fast and direct against the Hansi Flick high line. There were good performances all over the pitch. Liam Delap’s run out as a second half substitute yielded his first goal of the season. Chelsea’s pressure forced Jules Kounde’s first half own goal. Maresca had got his team right. Fifth place in the new Champions League super-table does not flatter Chelsea.
Estevao has quickly become a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge - PA/Bradley CollyerThis was high-quality stuff – a game played on the edge and with all the courage you need to pass the ball under intense pressure on a small pitch. The two teams split possession evenly in the first half but it was Chelsea who had all the power and the momentum and who forced the two key moments before the break.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn the end they were both self-inflicted by a Barcelona team under severe pressure. There was the own goal from Jules Kounde, a catastrophe between him and Ferran Torres where the pair of them conspired to nudge the ball over their goal-line like two men carefully completing a hole at mini-golf. Then there was Ronald Araújo’s mystifying lunge at Marc Cucurella before half-time when the Barcelona captain was already on a yellow card.
In the middle of the pitch, the Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong looked skyward in despair as Araújo swept the legs out from underneath Cucurella. What was the Uruguayan thinking? His team had been pounded by Chelsea in the first half and just a single goal deficit would have been completely satisfactory in the circumstances for Hansi Flick. Now it was a question of how Barcelona might survive.
Barcelona were reduced to 10 men after Ronald Araujo picked up his second yellow card - Getty Images/Darren WalshThey had come to London to play their high line and although at times it looked fantastically dangerous. It was a great spectacle. Both sides put the respective opposing defences under huge pressure in possession, and both defences responded with some superb passing patterns to escape the press. Equally there were, inevitably, mistakes. A wayward pass from Reece James on six minutes allowed Lamine Yamal to nip in and feed a ball through to Torres. He opened his body to finish and somehow missed the target.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementYet there was more activity at the other end. Chelsea looked sharp and the balance between Alejandro Garnacho on the left and the silky Estevao on the right was good. Maresca picked Pedro Neto as his central striker, not least for his blistering pace and Neto should have scored on 24 minutes when Estevao played the No 7 in on goal. James partnered Moises Caicedo in midfield and that gave Enzo Fernandez scope to play as a No 10.
It was Fernandez who had the best chances to open the scoring. A header from Cucurella’s cross was just marginally offside. He had a shot from Garnacho’s cross. Finally it was a beautifully worked corner on the right that Neto and Estevao moved around to get Cucurella into a crossing position. The misunderstanding between Torres and Kounde happened slowly but neither man seemed capable of intervening as the ball was played off the pair of them and eventually rolled in by Kounde’s touch.
Maresca brought on Andrey Santos for Malo Gusto at half-time - the latter on a booking. Flick pushed Eric Garcia back into defence but did not make major tactical changes. He introduced Marcus Rashford to little effect. Estêvão’s goal on 55 minutes decided the game and Barcelona will have been glad it was not more than three. Delap’s finish originally looked offside but the VAR review gave him the goal.
10:40pm
More from Flick
We need a little bit more aggressiveness in our game.
Chelsea played more with the body, were more dynamic in one-v-one situations. That’s what I want from my team.
Sometimes we can have more control with the ball, but especially in the Champions League, against a team in the Premier League, it’s not like that.
We have to fight a little bit more and be more aggressive.
10:39pm
Hansi Flick does not sound too perturbed
We started well, had a big chance to score the first goal and we get the red card. It is not easy against this Chelsea team with one player less.
The one problem was that we lost too many balls, easy balls, it is not like they really press us.
I’m more positive about how we played in the second half and how we defend together.
10:34pm
Enzo Maresca’s thoughts
Good win, to be honest no more than that. We knew how important the game was, but they are all important games. When you beat Barcelona it is always nice.
Barcelona is a team that if they have the ball they feel comfortable, if they don’t have the ball they don’t feel comfortable. We try to keep the ball, like we did all season and last season. Even 11vs11, my feeling was good.
In the defensive part, you need a balance and in the last month we are finishing with clean sheets in the Premier League.
Eighteen from Brazil against Barcelona it is a huge night for him [Estevao], but it is a huge night for the fans and all the club.
Winning the Club World Cup has been very important for the players in terms of confidence because they realise they can win games against any team. When you are trying to build a winning mentality, you need to win games. It’s the only way to build something important.
10:24pm
A trend emerging
10:22pm
Cucurella on dealing with Yamal
His left foot is dominant. If I can invite him inside, I have my teammates there. I left space on his right side, his worst foot. If he did something on his right foot I say okay, congratulations.
Marc Cucurella won his battle against Lamine Yamal - Getty Images/Adrian Dennis10:22pm
Cucurella on the performance
The game plan was clear. We did it well. It wasn’t just me. My team-mates were good. They gave me some help. This is football, 11 vs 11 [for the first half]. We did the best for the win.
The last couple of games we improved in defence, had clean sheets and confidence. This is the way we need to continue. We are really happy. We have a long way to go. Hopefully we can stay at this level.
10:13pm
Zola on Estevao
What I like about him is he is brave. Each time I see him, I see something new from him.
10:11pm
Estevao speaking on the pitch post-match
I don’t really have any words to sum up how I am feeling right now. It really was the perfect night. I am just grateful to God for making everything happen for me. Onwards and upwards from here.
It was all very quick for me. It happened before I knew it. I just found some space and wiggled my way through and scored the goal. It was such a special moment for me in my career and I hope to score many more.
09:53pm
FT minutes: Chelsea 3 Barcelona 0
One of Chelsea’s best nights under Enzo Maresca. Things tend towards the volatile at Chelsea, but it is another big-game performance which suggests they are moving in the right direction at some pace. We might more know about that after Sunday’s contest against Arsenal. With a talent like Estevao on their books, there is plenty to be excited about.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBarcelona have some wonderful footballers, but cannot seriously be considered Champions League challengers while they are so easy to score against. Their defence looks beatable when high and weak when deep, which is a nasty combination.
Liam Delap celebrates with Estevao - Getty Images/Adrian Dennis09:50pm
90 minutes: Chelsea 3 Barcelona 0
There are just three minutes of added time for Chelsea fans to enjoy/Barcelona to endure.
09:49pm
88 minutes: Chelsea 3 Barcelona 0
This is also an important three points for Chelsea after dropping points against Qarabag, and with tricky trips to Atalanta and Napoli on the horizon. For the time being, the win will lift them into the top eight, and also three points clear of Barcelona.
09:46pm
85 minutes: Chelsea 3 Barcelona 0
Chelsea keeping the ball in the corner deep in the Barcelona half, and their fans are relishing inflicting a painful defeat on an old adversary. Now they are keeping the ball across their backline under little pressure.
09:42pm
82 minutes: Chelsea 3 Barcelona 0
Two more changes from Maresca and both of them are academy products: George and Acheampong replace Estevao and Reece James. The young Brazilian receives a standing ovation from the Stamford Bridge crowd. What a night for him.
09:40pm
80 minutes: Chelsea 3 Barcelona 0
Lamine Yamal’s night is over, he has been replaced by Olmo. Chelsea and Cucurella did a number on him tonight.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRaphinha tries to restore some pride for Barcelona, but Sanchez makes a sharp save to keep out Raphinha’s placed shot.
09:38pm
78 minutes: Chelsea 3 Barcelona 0
If the scoreline remains as it is, this will be Chelsea’s biggest-ever victory over Barcelona. You would not bet against Chelsea adding to the score from, they look full of running against a beleaguered defence.
Delap spins behind in the left channel and picks out Estevao in the middle, but Fernandez’s shot was straight at Garcia.
09:35pm
GOOOAAALLL! Delap’s goal stands
Liam Delap scores his first Champions League goal for Chelsea, and Barcelona’s haphazard attempts to play offside are undone again. Maresca punches the air, but that was all too easy for Chelsea. “Four dummies,” is how Alan Shearer describes Barcelona’s defence. Chelsea did not even need to throw a dummy to wrong foot them.
09:33pm
73 minutes: Chelsea 2 Barcelona 0
Enzo Maresca has enjoyed the luxury of prioritising rest and player conditioning with his subs: Gittens is about to replace Neto, who has run his socks off tonight.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNeto is then involved in another attack, feeding a pass through to Fernandez behind the Barcelona high line. He tees up Delap for a simple finish but the flag is up for offside.
I think Balde is playing Fernandez onside here... VAR checking.
09:30pm
70 minutes: Chelsea 2 Barcelona 0
Now Chelsea fans have switched to “he’s gonna cry in a minute” as they continue to serenade Yamal.
Neto then threatens a third on the break after Sanchez claims a Raphinha free-kick with ease. Neto tried to go alone, but Joan Garcia saved well from a tight angle.
From the resulting corner, Fofana shoots over on the turn.
09:28pm
67 minutes: Chelsea 2 Barcelona 0
Cucurella has been all over Yamal like a rash tonight, carrying out that old man-marking instruction: even if he goes to the toilet, follow him. Cucurella has enjoyed some ding-dong battles with Saka over the last few seasons, and at international level, and we could be in for another Sunday.
09:23pm
64 minutes: Chelsea 2 Barcelona 0
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEstevao has now already scored three goals in the Champions League this season. He only needs to score in the FA Cup to have scored in every competition in his first season in English football, aged 18.
09:23pm
62 minutes: Chelsea 2 Barcelona 0
Some applause around Stamford Bridge for Andreas Christensen, who is introduced as a substitute alongside Raphinha. Fermin Lopez and Robert Lewandowski are the players who make way.
It should be said that Estevao’s goal came from some industrious work in midfield from Chelsea, with Andrey Santos winning a turnover and James playing forward.
09:20pm
60 minutes: Chelsea 2 Barcelona 0
Another change from Maresca with Liam Delap replacing Garnacho. Another rendition of “you’re just a s--- Estevao” rings around Stamford Bridge after Yamal is dispossed in the Chelsea half.
09:17pm
58 minutes: Chelsea 2 Barcelona 0
Chelsea in complete control now and the game has its signature moment. Estevao has turned in some impressive performances, and scored the winner against Liverpool, but that is his best moment in a Chelsea shirt.
Chelsea’s Estevao scores their second goal - Reuters/Hannah McKay09:16pm
GOOOOALL! Estevao with a stunning strike
Chelsea 2 Barcelona 0, Estevao 1 Yamal 0.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis is a quite brilliant goal from the 18-year-old winger, chopping inside of Curbasi and twisting up the defender something rotten before finding the roof of the net with a powerful right-footed strike. Not unlike Ryan Giggs’ finish against Arsenal at Villa Park in 1999, fired in from a tight angle.
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And there’s the goal all the Chelsea fans wanted. How did Estevao score from there?! Who cares? He’s just upstaged Yamal and the new king of Stamford Bridge is born. The fans sing “Stevo” to their new hero.
09:13pm
52 minutes: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0
Cucurella given a harsh booking for a perceived foul on Yamal and Maresca also shown the yellow card for his protestations. Cucurella has the Chelsea fans well and truly on side now, he is one of their most consistent players.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNow the home side have a corner after working the ball out to Garnacho on the left.
09:11pm
50 minutes: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0
Chelsea thought they had their second, but yet again the flag goes up for offside. The Barcelona defence caught Garnacho out as he played a one-two down the left. He pulled the ball back for Andrey Santos to shoot, and his effort squirmed under Joan Garcia. The Barcelona’s blushes have been spared.
09:08pm
47 minutes: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0
Chelsea looking composed with the ball in the early minutes of the half. Barcelona look to have curbed their instincts a touch, and are trying to defend a little deeper in a 4-4-1 shape. Whether they have the players to execute that strategy is another question. There should be more goals here for Chelsea.
09:05pm
We are back under way
Barcelona get the second half started.
09:04pm
Half-time changes
Andrey Santos is replacing Malo Gusto for Chelsea, which means Reece James to right-back. Gusto was on a yellow card.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd for Barcelona, Marcus Rashford is on for Ferran Torres.
09:00pm
Rashford could soon be introduced
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Marcus Rashford is warming up on his own with a trainer at half-time at Stamford Bridge, which would suggest he is set to come on for the second half.
08:52pm
Matt’s first-half verdict
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That first half could barely have gone any better for Chelsea, who are a goal up and a man up. The only concern is the game isn’t already over, given Barcelona have scored in each of their last 24 Champions League games, which is the longest current run by any team.
08:51pm
HT: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0
The ideal half for Chelsea who are a goal and a man to the good. Maresca’s team grew into the half after surviving that early missed Torres sitter, and have Barcelona where they want them. Chelsea have been difficult to play through and have carried a threat against their brittle opponents.
Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella of Chelsea celebrate - Getty Images/Darren Walsh08:48pm
45 minutes: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0
There will be two minutes of added time to play, and Chelsea will now play the rest of this game against 10 men. Barcelona will call for Rashford now, you need an outlet like him when a man down.
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Ronald Araujo got a good-natured hand slap from Barcelona manager Hansi Flick as he went down the tunnel. I think that was very forgiving of Flick, given the defender has just put the visitors in a very sticky position.
08:46pm
BARCELONA RED CARD!
Araujo was already on a yellow card, and this is one of the most blatant second bookings you will ever. Wild and mistimed, the Barcelona defender cleaned out Cucurella and the referee has no choice but to send him off.
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Araujo sent off for a second yellow for trying to put Cucurella into the West Stand. What a ludicrously rash foul for a captain to make when he is on a yellow. Some Asier Del Horno in 2006 vibes about it, albeit without the Messi magic.
Ronald Araujo fouls Marc Cucurella - Getty Images/Darren Walsh08:45pm
42 minutes: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0
Chelsea will be happy to see long passes forward like that from Curbasi, easy pickings for their centre-backs. Then Lewandowski is penalised for pushing Chalobah over. Barcelona have Rashford, Raphinha and Olmo as options from the bench. It will surely not be long until we seem them.
08:41pm
39 minutes: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0
That was better from Barcelona, De Jong turning and cutting Chelsea’s midfield out of the game with a pass through to Lopez, but Malo Gusto made a narrow recovery run to slide in and win the ball. But then Gusto is booked for pulling back Barcelona left-back Balde.
08:38pm
37 minutes: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis is a very high-quality high-press game. Great to watch the press from both teams swarm over the defence in possession, but also the pace and precision with which both sides are able to escape from it.
08:37pm
35 minutes: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0
More cheers at Stamford Bridge after Cucurella stands up well against Yamal in a one-on-one in the box, and he wins a goal kick rather than concedes a corner. Chelsea’s left-back celebrates that piece of defending with Chalobah.
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After seeing a tame shot saved, Yamal is serenaded by cries of “you’re just a s--- Estevao” from the Chelsea fans. They’re enjoying this.
08:35pm
33 minutes: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0
Chelsea boxing Barcelona in now with a well-organised press, making the away team go long with an aimless pass which Caicedo snaffles up easily. Ferran Torres then tees up Lamine Yamal for a shot from the edge of the box, but there is not enough power on the shot to trouble Sanchez.
08:32pm
30 minutes: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0
Chelsea are rampant at the moment, repeatedly turning the Barcelona defence, and the away team are struggling to match the intensity. A loose ball breaks for Reece James to hit from 25 yards; well struck, but just over the bar.
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Feels like one of the classic Champions League nights at Stamford Bridge. Great atmosphere and Chelsea all over a big opponent. It’ll never match the Feb 2005 epic between these two clubs but some excellent individual performances in blue shirts so far tonight.
08:30pm
GOOOOAAALL! Chelsea lead through an own goal
Barcelona found wanting again when it comes to defending their own box. Chelsea worked a short corner to Cucurella with a clever reverse pass from Garnacho, and from there it is chaos in the six-yard box. The ball bounced off a combination of Kounde and Torres and over the line. It goes down as a Kounde own goal.
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Enzo Maresca was whipping the Chelsea crowd up on the touchline just before the home side finally took the lead after seeing two goals disallowed. He didn’t particularly need to, as it had been loud inside Stamford Bridge anyway. It’s even louder now they are ahead.
08:28pm
27 minutes: Chelsea 0 Barcelona 0
Chelsea are getting their teeth into this now and the crowd is responding. Caicedo finds space to turn and play forward through a disjointed Barcelona press, before Garnacho’s deflected low cross is sliced over by Balde.
08:26pm
25 minutes: Chelsea 0 Barcelona 0
A clear opening for Pedro Neto as Chelsea exploit that Barcelona high line, but he slices well over the bar with his right foot when there was time to set himself and take aim.
08:26pm
NO GOAL
The original decision stands because Chalobah was in an offside position when the free-kick was taken.
08:25pm
22 minutes: Chelsea 0 Barcelona 0
Free-kick for Chelsea in a dangerous crossing position wide left after Garnacho is fouled. Reece James goes across to take an inswinger. That earlier corner produced Chelsea’s most dangerous moment so far; they have a strong record from attacking set-pieces this season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd Enzo Fernandez is denied again! This time by an offside flag after he headed in at the back post. Great delivery, and this will be a tight one. A VAR check is under way.
It might depend on whether Chalobah glanced the ball on.
08:21pm
19 minutes: Chelsea 0 Barcelona 0
Aside from the lavish skill he possesses, Yamal’s choice and weight of pass are always so impressive. Important defensive work from Caicedo to track back and win a challenge against Torres on the edge of Chelsea’s box. The home team just struggling a tough to string passes together.
Then Enzo Fernandez looks for a longer pass over the top towards Gusto but this time it was Garcia playing sweeper-keeper.
08:18pm
16 minutes: Chelsea 0 Barcelona 0
Fermin Lopez is in the wars again. Lewandowski takes the ball in and lofts a clever pass over the Chelsea defence towards the run from the midfielder, and Chelsea’s goalkeeper Sanchez rushed off his line to clear the bouncing ball. He caught the Barcelona man, but only after making good contact with the ball. Good goalkeeping, all in all.
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A lot of the build up had centred around the battle of the teenagers, Lamine Yamal and Willian Estevao. The Chelsea winger won the corner from which the home side scored their disallowed goal, but otherwise it has been Yamal who has seen more of the ball so far.
08:16pm
14 minutes: Chelsea 0 Barcelona 0
Yamal starting to influence the game with his wizardry, and Fermin Lopez wants a penalty against Chalobah for a push after a Yamal inswinging cross. Nothing close to enough in the incident for a penalty. Barcelona finding space quite easily in Chelsea’s defensive third.
08:12pm
10 minutes: Chelsea 0 Barcelona 0
Barcelona settling into a longer spell of possession now, and before you know it Lamine Yamal is bearing down on the Chelsea defence. He tries to one-two his way beyond his international team-mate Cucurella and the Chelsea left-back just about prevented the return pass reaching Yamal.
08:10pm
8 minutes: Chelsea 0 Barcelona 0
This has been a lively start. Chelsea back on the front foot with a well-constructed move which ends with a Cucurella cross being blocked. Caicedo then makes sure Barcelona cannot play out from the back, and the midfielder picks out Reece James at the edge of the box who shoots straight at Joan Garcia.
08:08pm
6 minutes: Chelsea 0 Barcelona 0
After that promising moment for Chelsea, they have just survived an almighty let-off. The home team were robbed of possession on the edge of their defensive third, and a simple pass into Ferran Torres found the forward free as a bird in the penalty area. He only had Sanchez to beat from eight yards or so but squeezed the shot wide. Never quite had his standing foot set to strike with power.
08:06pm
4 minutes: Chelsea 0 Barcelona 0
After Estevao enjoys his first run at the Barcelona defence, Chelsea have the ball in the net from the resulting corner! But the referee has bowl for a handball. Barcelona made a mess of the clearance, and the ball hit Fofana’s chest before bouncing off his arm. Enzo Fernandez applied the finish from close range, but the handball decision stands after a VAR check.
Enzo Fernandez thought he had scored - Getty Images/Mike Hewitt08:04pm
2 minutes: Chelsea 0 Barcelona 0
Estevao has lined up on the right of Chelsea’s attack with Neto central and Garnacho on the right. Lewandowski is fouled by Trevoh Chalobah on halfway, the Chelsea defender stood on his foot. For all the talk of these teams’ attacking intentions, they each have a defender by trade playing in central midfield: Reece James and Eric Garcia.
08:02pm
KICK OFF!
Chelsea get the game started, and they will be shooting towards the Matthew Harding End in the first half.
07:59pm
The players are out of the tunnel
Chelsea fans have unfurled a banner detailing their full list of European honours. They are the only men’s team to win the Cup Winners’ Cup, Uefa Cup, European Cup and now Conference League.
07:51pm
Hampton’s well-deserved prize
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementChelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton just showed off her women’s footballer of the year award on the Stamford Bridge pitch before kick-off. There was a quick Q&A with her too, but no questions about Mary Earps.
07:49pm
Chelsea’s players put through their paces
Chelsea play Barcelona for the first time since 2018 - Getty Images/Jan Kruger07:30pm
Two of the game’s best youngsters up against each other
Estevao shares the pitch with Lamine Yamal tonight, and it will also be interesting to see how well Yamal’s Spain team-mate Marc Cucurella can smother the winger and his trickery. Yamal will be in a fixed position wide right, whereas Estevao could have more freedom to drift across the line.
Lamine Yamal keeps warm before the game - Reuters/Hannah McKay07:09pm
Maresca on the gameplan and his selection
He’s doing well [Estevao] since he joined us, he had two games with the international team so we decided to rest him at the weekend. He is ready for tonight.
We try to use different players for the gameplan, everything starts from there, we use the best players for the gameplan. I’m lucky I can change because they are all good players.
Will be one of the keys of the game [Barcelona’s high line]. If you rush, always attacking behind, you give them the ball back which is not too good. We need to play in behind, but playing our game and respecting our process.
Enzo Maresca has tweaked his team again - Reuters/Andrew Couldridge07:02pm
The scale of Chelsea’s rotation
The five changes made by Maresca tonight mean he has now made 100 starting XI changes in 18 matches so far this season.
06:56pm
The team news assessed
Enzo Maresca has picked three wingers and no centre-forward. That could be about keeping Joao Pedro or Liam Delap fresh for the Arsenal game, or a tactical ploy to prioritise pace against Barcelona’s high line. Elsewhere, it is a familiar set up for Maresca against the elite opposition with Reece James in midfield alongside Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez more advanced. A reprise of their system from the Club World Cup final.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBarcelona are missing Marc-André ter Stegen, Gavi and Pedri, with Eric Garcia filling in in central midfield. Ferran Torres and Fermin Lopez are preferred to Marcus Rashford and Raphinha in the starting XI, but they could make a telling contribution from the bench.
06:48pm
Barcelona team news: Rashford and Raphinha on the bench
06:45pm
Chelsea team news: Neither Delap nor Joao Pedro start
06:39pm
Two big games in a week for Chelsea
Next up for Chelsea is a home Premier League against Arsenal on Sunday. These two matches will shape whether or not Chelsea are competing for a season of incremental progress, or whether they have a chance of landing one of the two big prizes. Arsenal host Bayern Munich tomorrow night, so similar preparation for both of the London rivals.
06:31pm
Hosting Barcelona offers Chelsea fans a trip down memory lane
Chelsea vs Barcelona is a Champions League fixture that brings back memories of laundry baskets, questionable officiating, bad blood and some absorbing football, and tonight the clubs meet for the first time in seven years.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThey contested two semi-finals in 2009 and 2012, winning one apiece. The first was settled by Andrés Iniesta’s late away goal after Chelsea were denied not one, not two, but three plausible penalty shouts, culminating in Didier Drogba screaming “disgrace” down a television camera at full-time.
Chelsea exacted their own form of larcenous revenge three years later, when they soaked up relentless Barcelona pressure home and away (with 10 men in the Nou Camp after John Terry’s red card) in a triumph against the odds which was sealed by Fernando Torres’ runaway goal.
Probably the best two-legged tie though, came at the last-16 stage in 2005 when José Mourinho used a laundry basket to defy a stadium on the night Chelsea sliced through Barcelona in a blistering opening spell at Stamford Bridge. Three goals in the opening 19 minutes put Chelsea 4-2 up on aggregate, and despite Ronaldinho scoring a brilliant toe poke, the London club progressed 5-4.
Winning the Champions League was an obsession for Chelsea in the Roman Abramovich years, and they finally did so in 2012 with one of their weaker teams of that era. Expectations are not quite so high for Enzo Maresca and his players, who have work to do to secure a top-eight finish after the draw with Qarabag.
On seven points from four games, Chelsea are level with Barcelona. Hansi Flick’s team are capable of thrilling attacking football with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and now Marcus Rashford to the fore, but clean sheets have been scarce amid several diabolical defensive showings. Based on expected goals allowed, Barcelona have La Liga’s ninth-best defence and Chelsea pacy wide players should be relishing the space offered behind their high line.
Full team news on the way shortly.
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