Who: Barcelona vs. Chelsea
What: League Phase, UEFA Champions League
Where: Stamford Bridge, London, UK
When: Tuesday at 8pm (20:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream.
In a UEFA Champions League (UCL) Matchday 5 League Phase encounter that will be hugely anticipated, Chelsea will take on Barcelona on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge.
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Both Chelsea and Barcelona, both of whom won the Champions League, have an identical score from their opening four games in order to advance to the top eight of the standings in search of automatic top-eight qualification to the last 16 of the competition.
The star-studded clubs are currently on a hot streak with Chelsea, which has been supported by three victories against Tottenham, Wolves, and Burnley, and are now just one point ahead of Arsenal, while reigning La Liga champion Barcelona are once more in the running for the domestic title with archrival Real Madrid.
Before their epic clash at Stamford Bridge, what is all there is to know:
What transpired during Chelsea’s most recent Premier League game?
Chelsea defeated lowly Burnley 2-0 on Saturday thanks to goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez.
The Blues moved past Manchester City and placed them directly behind leaders Arsenal in the English Premier League (EPL) standings.
Next Sunday, Enzo Maresca’s side and the Gunners will square off in a top-of-the-table premiership match at Stamford Bridge.
What transpired during Barcelona’s most recent La Liga game?
In their first match back at Nou Camp since May 2023, Barcelona cruised to a dominant 4-0 victory over 10-man Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Robert Lewandowski and Fermin Lopez also added goals for Barca, Ferran Torres, and Fermin Lopez, both of whom scored.
Oihan Sancet, who was sent off for a crude challenge on Lopez, was sent off in the 54th minute for Athletic.
Lewandowski, who scored the opener, said he will always remember the moment he kicked the first goal at the team’s rebuilt Nou Camp stadium.
“Today was a memorable day for everyone, not just for me. Lewandowski told Barca One, “I’m very happy that I was able to score the first goal and return to the Nou Camp.”
“I have a lot of experience playing in different stadiums,” says the player. Because we did a great job today and won, I’m very proud of both myself and the team.
What took place in both teams’ final UCL League game?
In their previous game on November 5, Chelsea were held to a shock 2-2 draw by Azerbaijan side Qarabag, while Barcelona had to come back from a goal down and split the points 3-3 against Club Brugge in Belgium.
In what position are Chelsea and Barcelona in the UCL League Phase standings?
In the UEFA League Phase, Barcelona is currently 11th, with Chelsea being in 12th place. In each of their four matches, both teams have won two games and drawn one draw.
To advance to the round of 16, teams must finish the League Phase standings in the top eight. To reach the last 16, those clubs must complete the ladder positions 9 to 24 to advance to the home and away playoffs.
Where did Barcelona’s Champions League season come to an end?
The Catalan club was widely anticipated to make it to the Champions League final, but Inter, who had made a late comeback in the second leg of their record-equalling semifinal, eliminated them.
Palmer re-entered the Barca match
Cole Palmer, a Chelsea star, is close to returning, but Maresca confirmed on Monday that he will miss the UCL game against Barcelona in preparation for the top-of-the-table Premier League matchup against Arsenal.
Palmer was about to make a comeback when he groin injury occurred in August and returned with back-to-back goals against Brentford and Bayern Munich. However, an accident at home prevented him from playing again.
The England international, 23, stubbed his toe on a door at night, causing a fracture.
Maresca addressed reporters, “Cole is wearing a (protective) boot.”
“We don’t know when he’ll return, but it’s certain to happen soon.” He is already touching the ball, and the impression is positive for him.
He is doing well, according to the statement, “I don’t think he will be available for these two games (Barca and Arsenal).”
Lopez reveals what Chelsea and Barca missed as summer suitors
Fermin Lopez, 22, is making his first start for Hansi Flick’s side a regular one, despite not being well-known outside of Spain.
However, Chelsea is well-versed in Lopez, having had their summer bid for 40 million rejected by Barcelona. The attacking midfielder will be one of their biggest threat in Tuesday’s Champions League game.
Lopez’s desire was met with interest by Flick, while Barca was prepared to negotiate a fair price for him, which Chelsea failed to do.
I’m certain that he will stay, but ultimately I’m not sure what will happen. We must wait. Flick said in August that he was “really happy when the market is closed,” getting his wish in the end.
He is a valuable asset for the Catalan giants, but despite his improvement and obvious use for Barca, or perhaps even because of it, he is still valuable.
It would not surprise Chelsea if he shines at Stamford Bridge, where his interest and price tag have increased.
last five matches form guide
Chelsea: W-L-W-W (Premier League, last result)
Barcelona: W-L-W-W (La Liga, most recent result last)
Chelsea-Barcelona face off in the first half.
The two clubs have faced off 14 times, with each winning four and drawing six.
Barcelona advanced to the quarterfinals with a 4-1 aggregate aggregate win over Barcelona in the last round of 16 of the 2017-2018 Champions League. Lionel Messi, the Argentinian superstar, scored twice in the second leg, including his 100th UEFA Champions League goal.
news from the Chelsea team
Reece James, who is frequently injured, was taken off at halftime of Saturday’s EPL game against Burnley, but Maresca claims Maresca believes his early start was a preplanned accident and not a new injury, so he is expected to be ready for team selection.
Maresca said, “The idea was to manage Reece.” He played 45 minutes]only because of this. It was planned, too.
“Reece needs to be protected, but it’s not easy because I personally want it to continue,” Reese said.
Wesley Fofana, a French centre-back who was left the matchday squad against Burnley, is thought to be fit before the Barca game.
The Blues still have a roster that includes Levi Colwill (knee), Dario Essugo (thigh), and Romeo Lavia (thigh).
Chelsea’s starting XI might be.
Sanchez (Goalkeeper), James (Goalkeeper), Adarabioyo (Cocharro), Cucurella (Caicedo), Fernandez (Neto), Pedro (Garnacho), Delap (Goalkeeper).
news from the Barcelona team
Marcus Rashford, an on-loan Manchester United player, missed Barca’s 4-0 victory over Bilbao on Saturday due to illness, but he returned to the training field the following day, which sparked rumors that he might play for Chelsea on Tuesday.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, a first-choice goalkeeper, will miss the game as he recovers from a back injury. The German will be replaced by Juan Garcia.
The La Liga champions are unable to play Pedri (hamstring) or Gavi (knee).
Raphinha, a dynamic winger who recovered from a hamstring injury over the weekend, has a good chance of starting for the Blues.
Barcelona’s starting XI might be.
J. Garcia (goalkeeper), Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde, Casado, De Jong, Yamal, Lopez, Torres, and Lewandowski
Source: Aljazeera
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