5 players who will decide Chelsea - Barcelona first leg

#1 Andres Iniesta

Iniesta (right) has to roll back the years for Barcelona

The memories of scoring a late goal at Stamford Bridge to secure a place in the 2009 Champions League final might seem like a distant dream for the Barcelona captain. The 33-year old is nearing the end of a glorious career and is no longer the midfield force he used to be.

While Philippe Coutinho is expected to eventually replace him going forward, the Brazilian is cup-tied this season, due to his involvement in the competition with Liverpool. Thus, Barcelona and Valverde will look up to Iniesta to roll back the years and dominate the Chelsea midfield with his intelligent movement, nimble feet and ageless creativity.

Iniesta has occasionally shown his form of yesteryear this season but he will have the uphill task of dealing with Kante in the first leg. While Messi has won several matches for Barcelona, it has almost always been Iniesta's performances that won big games for the Catalan outfit, like he stepped up that night at the Bridge back in 2009.

Hence, Iniesta will be key to Barcelona's success while stopping him will help Chelsea win the midfield battle, making him the player who will decide the first leg.