Team News
Midfield maestro Xavi Hernandez will have to play through the barrier of pain unless coach Guardiola decides to organize the team without the number 8. The Spaniard, who had to come off 20 minutes from time in Saturday’s Clasico, has played 90 minutes of football only once in Barcelona’s last 7 matches in all competitions.
Another bad news for the Blaugrana is that defenders Carles Puyol and Javier Mascherano are a booking away from suspension. A yellow card against Chelsea would rule them out of the UEFA Champions League final should they make it.
There is good news, however. Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas should be fit enough to feature as starters. Both men came from the bench to receive some playing time over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are sweating over the fitness of Didier Drogba. The Ivorian striker, who missed the Blues’ goalless draw against Arsenal last Saturday, is carrying a knee injury.
Like in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie, Roberto Di Matteo will have to construct his defensive line without David Luiz. The Brazilian is out with a hamstring injury. Raul Meireles, Ashley Cole, Ramires and Ivanovic are the four available players in danger of missing the next match through suspension.
Game Plan
Barcelona never change their possessive and attacking style of play and they will probably not change it on Tuesday night. Having learned from El Clasico defeat on April 21, Pep Guardiola may drop Tello from his starting XI. However, the plan will surely remain the same – possession football.
All that the coach would ask from his players is to be sharper in front of goal. Part of the blame in Barcelona’s last two defeats was a matter of poor shooting accuracy and not of shooting frequency. With luck on their side, the hosts could overcome their first-leg defeat.
Pundits expect Lionel Messi to rise up and pour his fury on Chelsea. In London, the Argentine number 10 player did not do enough to amaze the crowd and deny the Blues from winning. Messi, who has never scored a goal against Chelsea, might be deployed as a striker with Fabregas and Sanchez at his sides. Such a tactical plan could help Barca to be less wasteful in attack.
Predictions suggest that Chelsea will be ultra-defensive at the Camp Nou. The Blues have a 1-goal advantage to protect and a negative plan could seem wise.
Should first-leg hero Drogba fail to make the starting line-up, former La Liga star Juan Mata might be tasked to launch counter-attacks with the support of Ramires. Obi Mikel, Frank Lampard and Raul Meireles are expected to complete Chelsea’s midfield line.
In defense, John Terry will shoulder a big responsibility. The team captain has experience from playing at the Camp Nou a few times in the past. Terry is likely to partner with Cahill, Ashley Cole and Ivanovic in Chelsea’s First XI with Petr Cech in post.
A few facts to know
1) Chelsea need at least a draw to qualify following their 1-0 first-leg win.
2) Chelsea would still qualify past Barcelona should they lose by a 1-goal margin at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night.
3) Reciprocally, Barcelona need a 2-goal margin victory to reach the Champions League final.
4) Barcelona have not beaten Chelsea in both teams’ last 6 meetings in all competitions.
5) The last 3 matches between Barcelona and Chelsea at the Camp Nou ended in a draw.
6) Chelsea are on a run of 4 consecutive victories in the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League.
