Chelsea v Barcelona: Top 3 key clashes that could decide the result 

#2 N'Golo Kante v Lionel Messi

N'Golo Kante's tackling will be important to Chelsea's defensive effectiveness, especially against Messi

How Chelsea have missed the little Frenchman this season. Kante was the rock on which Leicester City's incredible league win was built on before he duly joined Chelsea and acted as the catalyst for them to triumph the following season. He's one of the transfer discoveries of the last decade and Chelsea just haven't been the same side without him.

Kante has struggled with niggling injuries in the campaign so far and his replacement Tiemoue Bakayoko hasn't stepped up to the plate. He is injured for this tie while Kante has returned in recent weeks, a fact which should give hope to the Blues' devout fans. He'll have his work cut out, though given he'll be facing the greatest player of all time in Lionel Messi.

The Argentine has been in sensational form again this season, as usual, and is La Liga's top scorer and assist maker. Kante covers a vast area of the pitch due to his endless energy and effort so Conte will likely task him with trailing Messi when possible.

Barcelona's main man has floated around the pitch in games this season, acting as the primary playmaker after the departure of Neymar, and will be expected to drop deep into the midfield to spray passes around and connect with his teammates.

Given his amazing passing range, this is often where Messi is most dangerous, so it will be up to Kante to close down his space and ensure that he can't play his customary through balls; it isn't hyperbolic to say that Chelsea's chances may just rest on Kante's success in hunting Messi down and inhibiting his natural play.