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Ahead of the Champions League clash between Chelsea and Barcelona on Tuesday night (20th February), we take a look at the players that are likely to feature in the marquee match-up between the titans.
The two giants will come up against each other in the 1st leg of the round of 16. Chelsea will fancy themselves at home, as the La Liga Champions travel to Stamford Bridge.
Our list of players to watch out for has been compiled in the form of a combined 11, comprising players from both sides.
The stats, surprisingly, favor the team from England. The two teams have come up against each other 12 times in Europe's top competition, with the South West London side winning 5, drawing 4 and losing 3. Antonio Conte will look to build on the record that Chelsea have against the team from Catalonia.
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The two teams have had monumental clashes in the recent past in the Champion's League. One of the most talked about semi-finals in recent memory has to be the two legs played between the two in 2012.
Chelsea got the rub of the green in the second leg after Barcelona had scored through Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta, either side of John Terry's dismissal for violent conduct. Ramiries put the London side ahead on away goals after chipping the keeper to make it 2-2 on aggregate.
Earlier in the week, Fernando Torres, who went onto make it 2-3 on aggregate, had said "the best team does not always win". His words were prophetic for England's last men standing in Europe as they scrapped their way past the defending champions and into the final in Munich on 19 May. Before subsequently going on to beat Bayern on their home turf, to become Champions of Europe.
Sweet revenge for the 2009 heartbreak at the hands of the the Catalan club.
This is the combination of players we've come up with. Take a look.
FORMATION : 4-3-3
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois was instrumental in Chelsea regaining the Premier League title last season. Just millimeters shy of 2.0m, the Belgian is a colossal barrier in the Chelsea goal. With 144 clean sheets in 340 appearances for club and country to his credit, Courtois was a key figure in Atletico's winning campaign in the Spanish League in the 13/14 season..
Keeping Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, who himself has been in sublime form for Barcelona, is no easy feat, but we reckon it's merited.
With the current dip in form of his team in the League, with just one win in the last five and on the back of 2 straight losses to minnows Bournemouth and Watford, the former Atletico keeper will have to be on top of his game when he comes up against the frigthening attack of the Spanish outfit.
Best of luck Thibaut, you're gonna need it!
Centre-Backs
The defensive pairing of Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti has been quite excellent for the Catalans, so much so that Javier Mascherano, who has been a constant in the line-up for the side from Barcelona, under a string of managers, has been discarded from the squad. Even, Thomas Vermaelen hasn't got a look-in, despite his good form.
Despite marquee signings coming in for Barcelona - in the shape of Ousmane Dembélé and Philippe Coutinho, the Nou Camp faithful will be most delighted by the contribution on Umtiti who has been staggering in defence, as well as on the ball, with a passing accuracy better than that of a certain Toni Kroos.
Meanwhile, Gerard Pique has been having another terrific season for his boyhood club and was pivotal in prolonging Barcelona's unbeaten run in the league with a vital goal against arch rivals Espanyol, the week before last.
Catalonian love for the hunsband of the Colombian pop star, is evident in any coverage, of any match, done by the the locals in which he features, or doesn't. You know.
The Spanish and French pairing at the back has worked wonders for Ernesto Valverde who doesn't tinker much with his defence. So we decided to do the same. If it ain't broke, why fix it? Right?
The fact that Chelsea players (known for their defensive solidity and cohesiveness) don't feature in this section of the team should worry their fans, considering they will be up against the most formidable attack in Spain.
Full-Backs
Right-Back
Azpilicueta has been the most consistent player in a Chelsea shirt, since his arrival from Marseille. Period. He became an instant favorite with the home crowd because of his excellent work ethic and the desire to play for the club.
Versatile in nature, the Spanish full back can play in a variety of positions, on either side of the two centre backs, as a part of a back three functioning as a fulcrum between the midfield and the defence, and has also slotted into midfield as cover.
Jose Mourinho was always full of praise for the 28-year-old and put his name first on any team list he ever wrote out for the London side, as has Antonio Conte.
Chelsea will be hoping he has a very good game on Tuesday night, despite it almost being a given. He will be a constant nuisance for the Barcelona left wing with his unending stamina and proper use of the ball.
Left-Back
The best left back in world football has to be Jordi Alba. The Barcelona full back is one of the most feared in the Spanish League and across Europe.
The stamina that the Spaniard possesses is second to none and he is often hailed for his exploits further up the pitch. Not fair to someone who is also one of the most defensively sound in the game.
The former Valencia man, made his name in the Euros held in 2012 and was a key aspect in their conquering of the Championship. He was seen as the perfect replacement for Eric Abidal, who was nearing the end of his career and was prone to injuries.
With the most assists for Lionel Messi since Dani Alves' departure, the Spanish international has become undroppbale for Ernesto Valverde, who looks to protect him the most after Lionel Messi, and is often substituted when Barcelona are comfortablely in the lead.
We completely agree with Jordi Alba being un-benchable.
Midfielders
This was the most difficult part of the squad to short-list from, with a host of top quality midfielders available to be selected. we often hear of a selection dilemma like this one being a good head-ache to have. Trust us when we say, it wasn't.
It's never fun to bench players like Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Roberto, Andre Gomes, Paulinho, Kante, Pedro and Willian. Alex Vidal, we'll bench, no problem.
Central Defensive Midfielder
Arguably the best in the business in his position, Sergio Busquets is the one that makes Barcelona's style of play tick. He is one of the most intelligent players in the world game and is sorely missed by the Catalans when he is out with injury. The Spanish international makes football look terribly easy.
Brilliant in possession and without possession, Busquets has come through the ranks at Barca's academy and is deeply cherished by the fans. Only still 29, with speed not a key factor in his style of play, the World Cup winner is destined to be around for a while to come.
Good for the rest of us. For Chelsea come this Tuesday night, not so much.
Central Attacking Midfielder
Despite the lack of as-much-playing-time as he would've liked under the Italian, Cesc Fabregas is still widely regarded as one of the best, when it comes to assisting goals. In 112 appearances in European Cup Competitions, the former Arsenal man has been involved in 53 goals, has reached the final with Arsenal in 05/06, and was on the wrong side of the ill-fated 2012 return leg in Camp Nou.
Few will doubt his ability to pick out the perfect pass for new team-mate, also a former Gunner, Olivier Giroud, to build on the relationship he has already fostered at Stamford Bridge with one Eden Hazard.
The languid midfielder is no stranger to pressure situations, having lifted the World Cup and the Euro Cup twice, with his native Spain. The Spaniard has returned from injury and will be rearing to go up against his former side, where he was much criticized for his lack of consistency.
Tuesdy night is the perfect opporunity for him to set the record straight.
Central Attacking Midfielder
The maestro, Andres Iniesta has been on the top of the game ever since he first walked onto the pitch for F.C. Barcelona. The Spaniard is true royalty in the world of football.
There is nothing the legend has not won. You name it. He's got it. The League title, the League Cup, the Champions' League and the Euros, all multiple times over. And of course the big one, the World Cup. He has narrowly missed out on the Ballon D'or on two seperate occasions, owing to the bias towards goal-scorers in the voting process.
If there was an award for the best midfielder every season, there's little doubt that the Catalan would've had a seperate cabinet for individiual trophies won over his career. Far from finished, he's still the focal point of the Barcelona attack.
A seperate article or two might need to be written on his style of play and the effortless nature in which he conducts hiself on the pitch. No matter which ground he plays on, a standing ovation is all but certain for the 'genius'. A word we don't use lightly.
Chelsea fans still have nightmares about the last-minute stunner he scored at Stamford Bridge, to knock Chelsea out, in the 2009 semi-final, sending 10-man Barca into the finals and eventually to the title. They will be hoping there isn't a repeat, this time around.
Forwards
Left Forward
The second Belgian in this combined 11 is the aptly named, Eden Hazard. Since joining the blue side of London in the summer of 2012, Hazard is one of a handful of players who have not only met expectation, but have exceeded it. The silky wizard is a menace for any defence he comes up against, which fails to stop him from practising his sheer wizardry.
An absolute delight with the ball at his feet, the Belgian is a master of close-control, has developed the finishing aspect to his game, and is a complete player for the Blues now. It is commendable, on the part of the management at Chelsea, that they have kept him happy and content at the club, despite obvious overtures made by the Los Blancos on several occasions.
The PFA Player of the year in 14/15 was instrumental in winning the league for Mourinho's side in his second stint as Manager. The Portuguese had first won the title a decade ago. Chelsea fans will be hoping that the Belgian is similarly able to weave his magic when Barcelona come to town.
If you're keeping out Philippe Coutinho, you've got to be darn good. And boy, is this guy good.
Centre Forward
Sitting pretty at the 140 goals for Barcelona in 180 appearances, and a staggering 347 career goals to add to 206 assists in just 507 matches, Luis Suarez is THE perfect centre forward. He walks straight into any team in Europe, and only improves the quality of the side.
Having moved from Liverpool to Barcelona in 2014, Suarez has already tasted success in Europe's elite competition two seasons ago, when he was a part of the devastating MSN for the Spanish Champions.
Having scored every kind of goal imaginable, he has been top scorer in four different leagues around the world (leaving behind Messi and Ronaldo in 14/15). Left foot, right foot, in the air, the Uruguayan is lethal in all attacking aspects of the game and is more cherished by the Barca faithful for his effort and work ethic in each and every game.
He will be licking his lips at the thought of returning to London on Tuesday. Expect goals.
Right Forward
And we'll just have Lionel Messi out wide.
Something tells me this stat might change come Tuesday night.
Here's a little sumsum to get you in the mood to see the most magical and prolific player to have ever graced the beautiful game.
