Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona: 5 Talking Points

Chelsea and Barcelona played out a cagey 1-1 draw in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie at Stamford Bridge. Barcelona dominated possession on the night but they failed to muster any significant attempt on the Chelsea goal in a compelling first half from Chelsea's perspective after the hosts came close to taking the lead not once but twice.

Willian was denied by the woodwork on a couple of occasions in the first half and Eden Hazard blasted one over the bar after the ball fell kindly to him just outside the penalty area. Despite asserting their dominance on keeping the ball, the Catalans failed to register a single shot on target in the first half.

Chelsea were finally rewarded for all their bravery just after the hour mark when Willian sent an unstoppable strike from outside the penalty area to break the deadlock. However, their celebrations were cut short after a poor pass from Andreas Christensen helped Andres Iniesta set-up Lionel Messi for an untimely equalizer, the Argentine's first ever goal against the London outfit.

Without further delay, let's take a closer look at the five key talking points from the game.

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#1 Messi finally breaks the Chelsea jinx

Messi combined with Iniesta to give Barcelona a crucial away goal

All the talk in the build-up leading to this game was about how Lionel Messi will be provided with a rare opportunity to finally try and break his duck against Chelsea. The Argentine had failed to score for over 730 minutes of playing time against the Blues, who are considered as Messi's kryptonite for quite some time now.

However, he was presented with a straight-forward opportunity to make things right in the 75th minute when Iniesta got on the end of a poor pass from Christensen and teed up Messi for Barcelona's equalizer on the night.

When Iniesta managed to cut the ball back to Messi, the probability of the ball ending up in the back of the net seemed inevitable and the Argentine took his chance with much aplomb. It took him 30 shots to finally score against Chelsea, astonishing to say the least.

#2 Willian stepped up when it mattered the most

The Brazilian was in fine form for Chelsea yet again

If the performance against Hull City during the weekend was anything to go by, it is safe to say that Willian would have been one of the first names on the team sheet today. The Brazilian was at his destructive best for Chelsea on the night and could have grabbed all the headlines for himself if lady luck had actually rooted for him in the first half.

Willian impressed with his direct approach and daring runs deep inside Barcelona territory but he had to wait for his moment after being denied twice by the post in the first half. However, he did not lose heart and backed his ability to find the back of the net from 20 yards out in the second half to send shivers down every Chelsea supporters' spine.

Despite not being one of the most preferred attacking options at the club, Willian has shown a lot of promise in recent weeks and stepped into a starring role on the biggest of occasions.

#3 Chelsea pay the price for silly error

A moment of madness cost Chelsea the game

It is not easy being a 21-year-old who is regarded as the club's present and future at the same time. For a majority of the game, it seemed like Andreas Christensen had everything under control. The defender was well and truly aware of the threat offered by the runaway La Liga leaders and positioned himself ideally to nullify any attempt on the Chelsea goal.

In spite of all that good defending, a slight lapse in concentration at the back which led to a confusion between Christensen and Fabregas helped Barcelona claw their way back into the game. The youngster's decision making was questionable in the build-up to conceding a crucial away goal but it is easier said than done.

Antonio Conte will be livid by the manner in which Chelsea threw away the game in the last quarter or so and the fact that the hosts dug their own grave with a moment of madness will be ringing in their heads.

#4 Not a happy return to London for Paulinho

Paulinho reminded everyone of his days with Tottenham

Despite establishing himself as a key player for Barcelona this season, Paulinho hardly enjoyed his involvement on the night. The Brazilian, who previously played for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, returned to English soil with the hope that he can overturn his poor reputation in the country after a shambolic time with the North London outfit.

Paulinho failed to make an impact on the game and also misplaced a few passes here and there, unable to turn defence into attack like he often does on his best days. The performance was the perfect homage to his tenure with Spurs as he continued to be a passenger in midfield for the visitors before being replaced by Aleix Vidal shortly after Chelsea scored the opening goal.

#5 Everything to play for at the Camp Nou

All eyes will be on Conte and Chelsea in the return leg

The goal in favour of Barcelona now means that Chelsea will have to find a way to match the away goal tally in the return leg scheduled to be held at Camp Nou next month, if they are to keep their European run alive.

Antonio Conte gambled by playing Hazard as a false nine on the night and despite the roll of the dice not backfiring completely, it did not help Chelsea a lot either. The Belgian was isolated for the majority of the game and perhaps the introduction of Morata could have been a little earlier considering the fact that he just had about 10 minutes to make a mark.

Some of Conte's decisions have been questionable but it is as clear as daylight that the champions of England could do well with the services of Morata or Olivier Giroud in the second leg away from home.

The away goal will force Chelsea to go on the front foot in the second leg and hence the game could well become an open affair with plenty of goals. All eyes will no move to Camp Nou where things could get really interesting for these heavyweights in their pursuit for European glory.