Champions League: Premier League teams Power Rankings after First Legs
By Orri Benatar
Chelsea once again played well against Barcelona. Good enough for the third best performance of the week, from a Premier League team.
Lionel Messi got his goal against Chelsea this past Tuesday. Barcelona did not outplay Chelsea by any means. Chelsea could have won this game 4-1 if luck was on Conte’s side.
Willian hit the post twice in the first half, and finally scored with a low driven shot in the bottom left corner. Barca got the away goal, but Chelsea has the edge going to the Camp Nou. Why?
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Philippe Coutinho is out for the rest of the Champions League season. Barcelona will be missing this important piece in the second leg as well.
The Blues can take advantage of that. Willian played masterfully and Eden Hazard is looking better in the false nine role Conte has him playing.
Defensively, the Blues have N’Golo Kante. Kante is the biggest x-factor in the world and is the difference between, beating Barcelona, or losing to West Brom.
Chelsea knocked off Barcelona once before. They can do it again at Camp Nou. Is it a longshot? Yes. Is it possible? Of course. The Blues could work up some Champions League magic again.