Holders FC Barcelona have turned their attention to the Uefa Champions League after their weekend El Clasico defeat, with a semi-final second leg against Chelsea taking place on Tuesday.
The Blues claimed a 1-0 victory in London, despite Barca dominating the possession and chances. The slim advantage puts Chelsea in a good position especially if they can score at the Nou Camp but Pep Guardiola’s men will be in a determined mood after conceding the La Liga title race was over.
Domestic form
Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid on the weekend has seen them drop seven points behind the leaders with four games to play. Guardiola conceded Real had won the title after the defeat. Prior to that, Barca had strung together 11 consecutive victories in La Liga.
Chelsea are stuttering in their efforts to make the Premier League’s top four and qualify for the Uefa Champions League again next term. The weekend’s ordinary goalless draw with Arsenal left them in sixth, four points behind fourth-placed Newcastle. They are unbeaten since a March 22 league defeat to Manchester City, and have improved under interim boss Roberto Di Matteo, last week qualifying for the FA Cup final.
Team news
Barca should welcome back Gerard Pique after back-to-back defeats in the past week. Ibrahim Afellay is ready to play again after a long-term knee injury while Eric Abidal (liver), David Villa (broken leg) and Andreu Fontas (knee) are all unavailable.
David Luiz is definitely out due to a hamstring injury suffered in the FA Cup semifinal win over Tottenham, while Didier Drogba, who scored the first leg winner, is a doubt due to a knee problem which forced him to miss the weekend’s draw w ith Arsenal.
Managers
Barca boss Pep Guardiola: “Believe me when I say we will make it. I believe this for hundreds of reasons; these players will beat Chelsea. I know there’s a wish for us not to make it, but let us believe we will. All our semi-finals have been very tough and we know the first leg was disappointing, but we can’t think about that. I know they will do it tomorrow because I know they can do it. They will play to win. I don’t have any doubt we will be in Munich.”
Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo: “It’s 50-50 for both teams to qualify for the final. We have an advantage but we all know how difficult it’s going to be. I think we have to try to score a goal because it will give us a greater chance. It will be difficult to play for a goalless draw. I think you have to make the most of the strengths of your players and of the weaknesses of your opponent.”
The verdict
Sports Pundit predicts; FC Barcelona 3-1 Chelsea