Preview: Chelsea face daunting task against Barcelona

الثلاثاء، 07 مارس 2006 - 14:43

كتب : Omar Shoeb

Barcelona

Chelsea are expected to face a daunting task against Barcelona in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg tie that will take place on Tuesday.

Barcelona, who won the first-leg 2-1 at Stamford bridge last month, head into the match knowing that all they need to do to ensure qualification into the quarter-finals is to stop the Premiership champions from scoring away goals.

The game comes amid tension between both clubs’ fans, especially after Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho accused Barca star Lionel Messi of diving to get Asier Del Horno sent-off, following their first-leg defeat.

Mourinho was spat at by Barca fans after arriving at the Barcelona airport and at the hotel.

Nevertheless, Chelsea still have a good shot at winning the second-leg given the return of midfielder Frank Lampard after recuperating from a hamstring injury, while Barcelona still have the upper-hand with Ronaldino, Eto’o and Deco all in the starting eleven.

Meanwhile, Italian champions Juventus will look to avoid a second upset after a dramatic loss the first-leg at German side Werder Bremen.

"I'm hoping the players are angry, they certainly should be. Conceding those late goals did not go down at all well," Juventus boss Fabio Capello was quoted as saying by Sky Sports on Tuesday.

Juve surrendered a 2-1 advantage to lose 3-2 and leave the tie wide open at the Stadio Delle Alpi.

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