The two European giants face off in the Champions League at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night, after playing out a 1-1 first leg encounter at Stamford Bridge last month.
Here, we look at three key player battles that could go a long way to deciding which team progresses to the quarter-finals.
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SERGIO BUSQUETS V CESC FABREGAS
After Lionel Messi, arguably the first name on the Barcelona team sheet is Sergio Busquets. The midfield enforcer’s influence can often go under the radar but it isn’t underappreciated by boss Ernesto Valverde or his team-mates.
Busquets’ seamless passing ability (90.1 per cent success rate this season) and tackle rate (average 2.7 per match – more than any other Camp Nou star) have been vital in a vintage campaign which has seen the Spanish giants go unbeaten in the league and in Europe.
The 29-year-old, of course, knows Fabregas very well having played alongside him between 2011 and 2014 in Catalonia. There’s no doubt Busquets will relish the personal match-up and look to occupy the Chelsea playmaker, in turn, creating more space for Messi.
For Fabregas, hopes of a Spanish recall have long since faded but he will be set on showing he is still a force when he returns to his old hunting ground.
Chelsea’s midfield man hasn’t enjoyed a vintage season at all, given he has registered only a handful of assists and featured frequently from the bench. He will have his hands full in the engine room and when it comes to supplying the ammunition for the away side’s attack too.
Pass-master in the middle: Busquets.
LIONEL MESSI V EDEN HAZARD
The Blaugrana legend’s timing is often immaculate and the birth of his third son last Saturday meant he missed the routine win over Malaga.
That was the best possible scenario for Barca, given their talisman will be fresh and desperate to mark the new arrival into his family with a goal and victory.
Messi broke his duck against the Blues at Stamford Bridge in the first leg, scoring for the first time in nine matches when facing the London club, but was marshalled well and made just one successful dribble as a stubborn Chelsea defence limited his influence.
While it’s unfair to compare any player on the planet to the 30-year-old, Hazard is Chelsea’s equivalent – and both teams will be looking to feed the ball into the creative maestros.
He will need to make more of an impact than he did at the Bridge though where he was deployed as a false nine. Whether or not Conte starts with either Alvaro Morata or Olivier Giroud could have a big influence on the Belgian’s performance.
If there was ever a stage for him to showcase just how good he is – and remind potential suitors Real Madrid for that matter – then this is it.
Hazard could operate in a false nine role again for Chelsea.
JORDI ALBA V WILLIAN
The Barcelona full-back will have to be watchful of the Brazilian’s marauding runs into the right channel and indeed the 29-year-old hovering into the centre of the pitch – the position in which he netted the first leg opener.
Alba has all the tools to contend with Willian’s pace and direct running but Barca will have to be alert to his threat on the counter-attack, especially when the hosts are urged forward by a competitive Camp Nou crowd.
At the Bridge, Willian made six successful forward forays at the away side’s defence and was also up for the physical battle, too – winning each of his two tackles and two aerial duels.
Willian will support Chelsea’s front stars.
