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Chelsea will face Barcelona for the 13th time in the UEFA Champions League this week at Stamford Bridge. It is fair to say that in the last decade and a half, the two clubs have become bitter rivals. Each time the two teams have crossed each other's path in the knockout stages we've had controversial decisions, late goals and plenty of drama.
The word 'controversy' seems like an understatement when one remembers the myriad of events that have taken place whenever the two sides have met. The biggest incident perhaps was a few years back when Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo denied Chelsea 4 penalty claims.
The match ended with a late goal from Andres Iniesta to take Barcelona through on away goals. What remains etched in one's mind is Didier Drogba's profanity-laced protest looking into the cameras after the final whistle.
Ovrebo, now retired, spoke up in the build-up to the game this week and has admitted that 'he made errors'. Mr. Ovrebo however, wasn't the only referee to get death threats post this fixture.
Swedish referee Anders Frisk went into early retirement in 2005 when he was accused by then Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho of conspiring with Frank Rijkaard.
If allegations of match-fixing and favouritism by referees are not enough, there have been plenty of red-cards, instances of play-acting, penalties which video replays show were incorrectly awarded or incorrectly denied and last minute gut-wrenching goals - associated with this fixture.
Lionel Messi has gone so far as to say that Barcelona players hate Chelsea more than their traditional rivals, Real Madrid. Adding to it he claimed that they would rather play any other top club rather than face Chelsea and that he thinks it is the biggest rivalry between any two clubs in world football.
Wow!
This week as the two rival-clubs take to the pitch to face each other again, Barcelona starts off as favourites to go through. Chelsea have been more than underwhelming in their Premier League title defence this season.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are unbeaten in the Spanish league thus far and have booked themselves a place in the Copa Del Rey Final. If that isn't enough they have Lionel Messi supported by some of the best players in the world in Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta, and others.
So, here at Sportskeeda, we take a look at how Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, can deliver a tactical masterclass and beat Barcelona.
#1 How Barcelona are expected to line-up
"Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories" - Sun Tzu, the Art of War.
Know Thy Enemy.
Ernesto Valverde has experimented with multiple formations this season be it the 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 or the 4-diamond-2. However, Valverde against strong opponents has preferred a 3-man midfield.
Barcelona: Expected line-up 4-3-3/4-3-1-2 -Ter Stegen (Gk); S.Roberto - G.Pique - S.Umtiti - J.Alba; Paulinho - S.Busquets - I.Rakitic; A.Iniesta; L.Messi - L.Suarez
Key pointers
1- Coutinho will not be able to play against Chelsea given that he is 'Cup-tied' in the Champions League after his transfer from Liverpool in January.
2- The Barcelona back-line pretty much picks itself. Barcelona right-back Nelson Semedo is suspended for the first leg, though.
3- Brazilian midfielder Paulinho, seems to have resurrected his career at Barcelona and will be expected to play a key role in terms of providing energy to the Barcelona midfield and making the late runs into the box, so marking him is out of the question.
4- Andres Iniesta, will play both as number 10 behind Messi and Suarez but will also drift to the left-wing. Therefore, expect Barcelona to be extremely fluid switching between a 4-3-3 and a 4-diamond-2 formation based on where Iniesta senses the opportunity to have an impact.
5- Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi will lead the attack. Messi however, will drift largely to the right side looking to receive the ball and cut-in onto his stronger left foot to either score or to make an assist. Suarez, on the other hand, will drift more to the left side when Iniesta is in the number 10 position but will stay central when Iniesta drifts to the left.
Playing style
The one advantage when it comes to playing a team like Barcelona is that they are a team with an inherent ideology. Sure, successive managers post-Guardiola have tinkered here and there with the style of play. However, as a team, the fundamental ideology remains the same.
For example, one can safely assume that Barcelona are not going to deliberately cede possession and try to play counter-attacking football; or that they are going to be whipping crosses repeatedly from the wide areas given the height of their attackers.
Barcelona has specific traits as an opposition and Chelsea must plan accordingly.
#2 Chelsea's mission statement
The first leg of the tie will be played at Stamford Bridge, London - Chelsea's home ground.
In the 4 ties during the Abramovic era the two clubs have met in the knockout stages, twice has the tie been decided on away goals and only by a single goal the other two times.
Bottom-line - There is a good chance that over 180 minutes the tie will be decided on away goals if not on penalties. Therefore the biggest priority of the match even if Chelsea do not score has to be to deny Barcelona if possible, an away goal.
In doing so, Chelsea can take the game to the Nou Camp and beat Barcelona even if it is a 1-1 goal scoring draw. Barcelona tend to be even more attacking as a side when they are at home. That, in turn, leaves more space behind their back-line to counter-attack. However, if Chelsea concede goals at the bridge they will make Barcelona's job a lot easier in the second leg wherein Barcelona will only have to pick apart a Chelsea side that is desperate to score.
Keeping a clean sheet against Barcelona is not an easy task, but if Chelsea deny Barcelona a goal at the bridge - it is half the battle won. That should be the target first and foremost.
Secondly, Barcelona will without a shadow of want to control possession and will attack through the middle. Dominating the central midfield area, the Barcelona midfield is going to try and slice open Chelsea using short passes. Messi, Suarez, and Iniesta will drop deep to help Barcelona midfield in this endeavour.
Formation wise, Conte has alternated between a 3-4-3 and a 3-5-2 this season. However, for this match, Conte has to pack the midfield with 3 central midfielders in a 3-5-2 to cut off passing lanes and stifle Barcelona's midfield. What he could do further is to employ a system that is a 3-5-2 without the ball and a 3-4-3 in attack. More on that later.
It is more or less a given that irrespective of formation or tactics, Courtois will start in goal for Chelsea.
So, let's start off with how Chelsea should line up in defence.
#3- The Chelsea Defense
Right wing-back - Davide Zappacosta
The 25-year-old Italian should start over Victor Moses on Tuesday because of the following reasons. First and foremost, he is a natural defender as opposed Victor Moses who was converted from being a winger to a wing-back last season. Whoever starts between the two will have to face the marauding runs of Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba.
Secondly, he is a better crosser of the ball than Moses and both of Chelsea's number 9 options - Giroud and Morata are good in the air. Lastly, while Moses was excellent in the wing-back role last season he has not been on form the last few weeks.
Right centre-back - Cesar Azpilicueta
Arguably the best defender at Chelsea, vice-captain Cesar Azpilicueta has been an epitome of consistency and dependability. Over the last 5 years, the Spaniard has been virtually the first name on the team-sheet for multiple Chelsea managers.
While Gary Cahill is the captain of the club, Chelsea fans have noticed that it is Azpilicueta who organises the back line the way John Terry used to. His leadership and understanding of the game during the different phases of play will be crucial on Tuesday night.
Sweeper- Andreas Christensen
The 21-year-old Dane has been a revelation at Chelsea this season. With composure far beyond his years and consistent performances, he has successfully displaced veteran centre-back, David Luiz. On the basis of merit and given his excellent understanding of positioning he is the player best capable of taking on Luis Suarez.
Left centre-back- Gary Cahill
A lot of Chelsea fans would like to see young German defender Antonio Rudiger start ahead of Gary Cahill on Tuesday night. However, Conte must keep faith in his Captain. It is true that Cahill has his flaws but one must also look at his strong suits.
Cahill's best performances have come when he plays in a low-block defensive line. The reason for this is that he is one of the best in the world when it comes to making last-ditch tackles and blocking shots - two qualities that this match demands.
Left wing-back - Marcos Alonso
Antonio Conte has indicated that the Spanish fullback will be fit for the game on Tuesday night. Alonso is the highest goal scoring defender in the Premier League this season. What makes him even more potent is his ability in dead ball situations.
While the choices in defence seem a bit obvious, it is in the midfield that Conte has to take a few unconventional decisions to win the game.
#4 The Chelsea Midfield
The goal of Antonio Conte when he picks his midfield has to be the following.
First and foremost to cut-off passing lanes which Barcelona will be looking for while. Secondly to transition the ball from defence to offence.
Here are the three players Conte must pick.
Defensive Midfielder - N'Golo Kante
If there was ever a player who is the true heir of the legendary defensive midfielder Claude Makelele, it is N'Golo Kante. With an average of almost 7 tackles and interceptions per game in the last two and a half seasons for Leicester and Chelsea, Kante will be central in any Chelsea attempt to negate the creative influence of Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic.
Central Midfielder (left) - Cesc Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas is expected to start on Tuesday night and will be a key figure in Conte's plans. Chelsea will undoubtedly be playing with their backs against the wall with very little ball possession, hence the Spaniard will be required to transition the ball effectively from defence to offence.
Furthermore, Fabregas is the kind of player who with a single long ball or through ball can provide a clear chance for Chelsea's attackers to score.
Central Midfielder (right) - Willian
The central midfield role may not the natural position of Brazilian winger Willian. However, playing him there will not be a first for Chelsea. Willian's tireless energy and tenacity to win the ball back were used to devastating effect by Jose Mourinho in 2014 against Manchester City's Yaya Toure and David Silva. His stamina and speed will certainly help his midfield partners Kante and Luiz/Fabregas.
The genius in playing him in the central midfield position, however, will go beyond the defensive side of things. When Chelsea win the ball and attack they could quickly transform into a 3-4-3 with Willian bombing forward to help Chelsea's front two.
This tactical flexibility allowing Chelsea to change shape based on possession or lack thereof could give Chelsea the perfect balance between being defensively solid while being able to devastate in quick Counter-attacking moves.
Willian also is in red-hot form as evidenced by his impressive display last weekend in the FA Cup.
#5 The Chelsea Attack
Support Striker- Eden Hazard
Chelsea's fortunes in attack will largely depend on Eden Hazard. While all the focus will be on Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, the man who steals the show may very well be the little Belgian. Hazard is just as unstoppable as Messi when it comes to dribbling past defenders nonchalantly and on his day can be just as devastating.
Centre Forward - Alvaro Morata
Picking the number 9 for the game is going to be a very difficult choice for Antonio Conte. Olivier Giroud since his move to Chelsea has solid with his hold-up play. Given that Morata has just come back from injury, Conte may very well choose to go with the French target man.
However, given that Barcelona's back-line tend to push high up the pitch - Conte must think of picking Morata as long as he is sharp in training. Giroud lacks the pace to take advantage of chances to beat Barcelona's offside trap and hit them on the break. Morata has scored or assisted every 112 minutes for Chelsea this season.
Conclusion
As Sir Alex Ferguson once famously said - "Football, bloody hell"
On paper, it is advantage Barcelona - but if Conte gets his tactics right, do not be surprised if Chelsea once again beats Barcelona and causes yet another famous upset.
