Chelsea host Barcelona in one of the most anticipated ties of the Champions League last 16 at Stamford Bridge tonight and both managers have picked their strongest XI as you would expect.
For Chelsea, Antonio Conte goes with his favoured 3-4-3 formation as he looks to gain an advantage in the home leg. Thibaut Courtois starts in goal behind a back three of Cesar Azpilicueta, Thomas Christensen and Rudiger, with Gary Cahill on the bench.
The Blues will look to contain Barca’s fearsome attack with their wing-backs, Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso whilst N’golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas will patrol central midfield. Up front they will look to hurt the Catalans through key man Eden Hazard who starts with Pedro and Willian. Main strikers Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud both have to settle for a place on the bench.
For Barcelona, Ernesto Valverde will line his side up in a narrow 4-4-2 formation. Marc-Andre ter Stegen starts behind a back four of Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and Jordi Alba.
Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic will start in the centre of midfield, flanked by Paulinho on the right and Andres Iniesta on the left. Luis Suarez plays up front, whilst Lionel Messi will play wherever he damn pleases, drifting from the base of midfield to the furthest man forward.
This will certainly be a tough test for Chelsea as they aim to beat a Barcelona team who are unbeaten in La Liga this season. Ernesto Valverde has done a brilliant job at the Spanish giants but as always, the main success barometer is the Champions League.
You can keep up to date with the game right here on our match centre - Chelsea v Barcelona.
Official team twitter team announcements below:
Subs: Caballero, Cahill, Zappacosta, Drinkwater, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud, Morata. #CHEBAR
