Chelsea face probably the biggest test in club football on Tuesday when they take on Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final second leg at the Nou Camp but will they be able to pull off one of the greatest results in their history by knocking out the Catalan giants?
Since taking temporary charge, Roberto Di Matteo has significantly enhanced his chances of getting the Stamford Bridge job on a permanent basis with some eye-catching results.
The 1-0 first-leg win last week has been THE stand-out score during his fairly brief tenure but if the Blues can secure a place in the Champions League final and knock out Barca on their own ground then that result alone could go along way to seeing him get the job in the summer (Barcelona 1/5, Chelsea 9/1, draw 9/2 – match odds).
Barcelona may have dominated possession, territory and created by far the greater amount of chances in the first game but Didier Drogba’s goal against the run of play in London has given Chelsea the edge in the tie whatever way you look at it.
They now head to Spain knowing a draw or even a 2-1 defeat will see them through to a place in Munich next month – and plenty of pundits and fans alike believe the Premier League side can finish the job.
Barca did everything but score last week, hitting the frame of the goal twice, while Lionel Messi and co failed to convert the numerous clear opportunities that would have given them the vital away goal. Chelsea know they are likely to face an attacking barrage once again at the Nou Camp so a mighty defensive rearguard will be needed once more.
However, keeping Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Pedro and Alexis Sanchez (11/8 to score anytime) quiet is one of the toughest jobs in the game, without even considering what three-time world player of the year Messi (2/1 – First/Last goalscorer) can do, so the Londonders are sure to be up against it.
Barca had in excess of 70% posession in the first leg and if Chelsea let them dominate to that extent again then Pep Guardiola’s side are set to come out on top overall, even though the visitors are sure to try and implement a gameplan to try and hurt their opponents on the break.
Real Madrid showed the Blues how to do it when they came away with a 2-1 win in Saturday’s El Clasico but the La Liga leaders certainly have more attacking threat, compared to Chelsea, in their side to make an impact at the Nou Camp.
If Barca fail to score in the first half then Chelsea’s hopes will rise considerably but, as tempting as it is to believe the Premier League side can come out on top, Guardiola’s men are too good to lose three on the bounce and their superiority should finally tell to break Di Matteo and his side’s heart.
Second-leg Prediction – Barcelona 2-0 Chelsea (11/2).
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