Chelsea travel to the Nou Camp tonight hoping to overcome the mighty Barcelona and progress to the quarter final of the Champions League, with the tie finely poised after a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in the first leg.
Blues midfielder Cesc Fabregas is a graduate of the Spanish sides famous La Masia Academy and played for the club between 2011-2014. Although he has revealed that he will be aiming to make things as uncomfortable as possible for his close friend Lionel Messi this evening.
‘If I am lucky enough to play, we are positioned in nearby areas of the pitch. Stopping him will be difficult but I will do everything possible so that he feels uncomfortable and can’t put together a perfect performance.
‘I see him as a rival who wants to win, and I want the same thing. We are in different teams and each player wants what is best for their own club. Obviously, you always have respect for each other.
‘It doesn’t bother me to play against my previous club or old friends, it motivates me. I did it with Arsenal and now with Chelsea, I’ve felt pretty good on both occasions.
‘Nobody should doubt that I want the best for my current club. In fact, it gives me extra motivation.’ Fabregas told Marca.
Chelsea finally got back to winning ways in the Premier League this weekend when they defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Despite performing excellently in the first leg of this tie, Antonio Conte’s side have been in poor form in 2018, and face a daunting task in trying to eliminate a Barcelona side who sit eights points clear at the top of La Liga.
Chelsea have come away from the Nou Camp with a positive result in the Champions League before however, when in 2011 a famous 1-o victory – in a game in which Messi missed a penalty – saw them progress to the final and win the tournament.
