Chelsea and Barcelona represent a clash of football philosophies - but both have eyes on the same prize

Barcelona and Chelsea are often considered polar opposites in the footballing world. One’s reputation is famed on its excellent youth academy which produces players to perfect the art of tiki-taka football. It’s about entertaining the masses whilst dominating teams. Barcelona are proof that you can play the beautiful game in a beautiful way – and win. They were, and to some still are, the blueprint of what makes the perfect club.

For Chelsea, their image in football is vastly different. Their youth academy isn’t designed to bring through the next budding talents. Instead it’s to sell them on quickly to fund more marquee signings. There is no time, no patience to wait for the next generation to come through. As for the football on show, it’s traditionally a defensive-first approach which looks to unsettle their opponent’s rhythm rather than impose their own style. It’s about grabbing a goal on the counter and clinging onto it for dear life.

Yet while the two clubs are different in their approach to football, both are largely successful with their respective models. Barcelona remain the kings in Spain, despite spending last season in Real Madrid’s shadow. While in England Chelsea are still one of the most successful sides around. Even with the English club’s cutthroat nature when it comes to replacing coaches, it doesn’t derail the club’s cycle of success. If anything, the two sides are proof that there isn’t a right or wrong way to play the game. If you maximise your own team’s strengths, you can nullify the opposition’s.

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No shortage of history between Chelsea and Barcelona

The fixture between Barcelona and Chelsea carries a lot of history with it. Like Liverpool fans and those penalties for Tottenham, Chelsea can’t forget about the time they felt UEFA conspired against them in 2009. Didier Drogba’s infamous rant as the teams were walking off the pitch is one of those iconic moments in English football. But his anger, his frustration, is something a lot of Chelsea fans still feel to this day. After all, this was meant to Jose Mourinho’s crowning moment.

I don’t think anyone could argue that the officials got a lot wrong in the match. Chelsea were livid that they didn’t earn at least one penalty which would have seen the tie tip further in their favour. Gerard Pique, no stranger to controversy, got away with a blatant handball. Chelsea, perhaps fearing the worst, opted to protect their lead against 10-men and we all know what happened next. Andres Iniesta, so often the key man in the key moments, scored a late goal to put Barcelona through on away goals.

The referee that fateful night, Tom Henning Ovrebo, told MARCA he wasn’t proud of his performance in that 2009 semi-final. “No, not at all. It was not my best day, really. Some days you’re not at the level you should be. But no, I can’t be proud of that performance.”

Pep Guardiola’s final season at Barcelona ended on a low note

If that was the match Chelsea fans continually refer to as the reason why they dislike Barcelona, the feeling is very much mutual after 2012.

Being 1-0 down from the first leg, Barcelona needed a strong response in front of their own fans and that’s exactly what they got. In between John Terry’s red card, Barcelona were 2-0 up and cruising towards yet another Champions League final. This was to be Pep Guardiola’s last season at the club and, after winning every other title that season, the Champions League was going to be the cherry on the top. But Chelsea were there to spoil the party.

Ramires broke away on a rare Chelsea attack and beautifully chipped it over the onrushing Victor Valdes. Chelsea were ahead in the tie on away goals but still had 45 minutes to weather the storm. Despite Barcelona peppering their goal for what felt like ten hours a combination of poor finishing, great goalkeeping and a huge slice of luck saw Chelsea hang on by the skin of their teeth.

Then Fernando Torres’ crowning moment at Chelsea came. A long clearance found him racing towards goal where he nonchalantly rounded Valdes and killed off Barcelona’s hopes. At the same time, Gary Neville’s voice couldn’t take the drama and he made a noise only dogs could hear as Chelsea made it 2-2 on the night. Afterwards, with a little more composure, he uttered the word ‘unbelievable’. And it was, it really was.

Can Lionel Messi finally break his duck against Chelsea?

There’s revenge on the agenda of both teams but Chelsea only have a single representative from the squad which won in 2012: Gary Cahill. They do, however, have Pedro Rodriguez who was on the pitch for Barcelona. Pique, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi all played in last fixture between the two in 2012. All four are likely to start again tonight.

For Messi in particular this contest carries somewhat of a personal objective. It sounds amazing to think for all his records, all his achievements, the little wizard is yet to score a goal against Chelsea. That’s eight appearances in total, including a penalty miss in that 2012 match. To add even further weight to that streak, Messi hasn’t scored against Thibaut Courtois since 2012 either. Are Chelsea Messi’s kryptonite?

Leading by example

The general impression from fans is that Messi is a good guy in his battle with the ‘evil’ Cristiano Ronaldo. But don’t be mistaken as underneath that calm exterior is a man desperate to put claims of weakness to bed. That isn’t to say he’ll approach this game any differently to the previous ones. Yet deep down, he’ll know that people will pick at his record should he fail to get on the scoresheet again.

To further compound this, Messi is enjoying one of his best seasons in recent years. He probably won’t break his goal return for a single season or in a calendar year, but his overall performances are nothing short of sensational. There’s an added maturity to his play and make no mistake about it, he’s the leader of this ship. Iniesta might wear the armband but everyone looks to Messi for guidance and belief. This is arguably the most complete version of Messi we’ve ever seen.

Expect goals, drama and at least one red card

This is a fixture which involves fireworks. The very first meeting between the two sides, before the 2009 and 2012 matches, came in 2005. This was during the era of Ronaldinho and he almost single-handedly dragged Barcelona from the brink of elimination to making the quarter finals. Chelsea would eventually go through 5-4 on aggregate, very un-Mourinho like, thanks to a late John Terry header.

Expect to see at least one red card over the two legs as well. In the previous ties, one team has spent at least a portion of the game with a numerical disadvantage. Ironically, the side which has received the red card has later gone on to win the tie. Drogba saw red in 2006 but Chelsea won. Abidal was sent off in 2009 but Barcelona won. And in 2012, Terry was sent off but Chelsea were victorious over two legs.

Can Chelsea park the bus and survive?

Barcelona are unbeaten in the league – and in Europe – and boast one of the best defensive records in world football. They have conceded just 11 goals in their 24 league matches. Chelsea have shipped more than double that, sitting on 23 in the goals against column. Perhaps this isn’t a team which is capable of sitting deep and absorbing Barcelona’s attack for 90, or 180 minutes, and their best form of defence is to attack.

Chelsea’s must force Barcelona out wide. Under Ernesto Valverde, they play a more narrow 4-4-2 with Iniesta on the left. On the right it’s most likely to be Ivan Rakitic. Neither of those two are likely to hug the touchline, so if Chelsea’s full backs can push forward then it might force Valverde to restructure his side.

The bad news for Chelsea is so many teams have tried to find a way to stifle Barcelona’s unbeaten run and been unsuccessful. And while attacking might sound like the best option, the reality is the more defensively sound teams are the ones which have caused Barcelona the most problems. Getafe, Espanyol, Alaves and Atletico Madrid being the best of the bunch.

Only Celta came away with something after going on the offensive

If they do choose to attack then Celta Vigo’s performance is the best one to emulate. The constant swarming of Barcelona’s defenders put them under pressure and it made for an uncomfortable afternoon for the hosts at the Camp Nou. Although I’d be amazed if Chelsea opted to play so open when they know how dangerous Barcelona’s attack can be.

As we saw last night with Wigan, you don’t need to have all the possession to win. It’s about shutting down the opposition before punishing them when that one chance presents itself.

Do Chelsea have another miracle up their sleeve or will Messi finally have the last laugh?