ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Monday, March 1, 2021
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Lionel Messi celebrates after he scores

Lionel Messi celebrates after he scores

UCL Round of 16: Messi moves to break Chelsea ‘hoodoo’

byJide Alaka
February 20, 2018
3 min read

Barcelona were leading 2 -1 and a third Catalan goal from the penalty spot would surely have killed off 10-man Chelsea; but at 49 minutes, Lionel Messi missed the spot kick via the crossbar.

The Blues thereafter staged a remarkable comeback en-route to winning their only UEFA Champions League title in 2012.

On Tuesday, the world’s greatest player – Messi has another chance to score against the London side in his ninth appearance – having lost twice, won once and achieved five draws in the former eight meetings.

His manager, Ernesto Valverde believes Messi can be the difference.

“This tie is important for Leo [Messi], for me, for everyone. For Barcelona. It’ll be tough, but it’s important because we want to qualify. Leo perhaps hasn’t had much luck against Chelsea before, but tomorrow is a different game.”

After Chelsea’s January wobble extended into February, Antonio Conte’s men have sort of bounced back with two victories and two clean sheets in the last two matches – scoring seven goals in the process, which would be good for the squad’s confidence.

In five meetings against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, the Blues have lost just once –back in 2006. Willian’s return to form will please under-pressure Antonio Conte, combined with that of Eden Hazard and the recruitment of Olivier Giroud.

Barcelona have not lost this season and are poised for another treble having already reached the Copa del Rey final; and are seven points ahead in La Liga.

Facing a clearly under-prepared Chelsea team – the Catalans will fancy their chances. Though there has been a slight wobble in the league – two consecutive draws against Espanyol, against whom they had to equalise in the last 10 minutes and then the 0-0 home draw against Getafe, the 2-0 away win over Eibar last weekend should have settled the nerves.

RelatedNews

VIDEO: Nigeria to receive COVID-19 vaccines Tuesday – Official

VIDEO: How bandits terrorised Kagara for years before students abduction

VIDEO: What Bawa told Senate about himself

Facebook to invest $1bn in news industry

Chelsea beat the Catalans at this stage in the 2004/05 season 5-4 on aggregate and Barcelona retaliated 12 months later with a 3-2 on aggregate win as they went on to claim the Champions League trophy.

Champions League Stats

Stat Chelsea Barcelona
Successful Passes 2571 3776
Pass Completion [%] 85 89
Total Shots 100 86
Chances Created 84 63
Shot Accuracy [%] 51 55
Goals Scored 16 9
Goals Conceded 8 1

 

Words before the war

Dangote adbanner 728x90_2 (1)

Conte believes Chelsea must be 10/10 on Tuesday to get a good result against the Catalans.

“For sure we are talking about one of the best teams in the world. We have to try to, I repeat, have the perfect game, the perfect game to try to make the best decisions.”

 

Fabregas, who grew up in the Barcelona Academy gave a hint on how the Blues would try to outwit their Tuesday opponents.

“They try to put the first pressure very, very high – [they] always work towards the ball. If we can [get] past this first phase of their pressure, then we have the content to do that, and not put ourselves under too much pressure, then I think we can hurt them because they will leave a lot of spaces at the back. Hopefully, we can give a good image of what we can do and do a good performance.”

ADVERTISEMENT

 

Eden Hazard also wants to capitalise on history.

“Barcelona are one of the best clubs in the world. In the past, they were in trouble against Chelsea and I hope tomorrow will be the same because we want to win.”

 

But Ivan Rakitic says history will be forgotten on Tuesday. “It will be different [to 2012 and past encounters].

 

“I spoke to Andrés [Iniesta] about his goal, the special moments. We spoke a lot about the stadium. Tomorrow will be a different game. We have to forget what happened before and play at our best tomorrow. These guys have played a lot of games here and have a special feeling for this game tomorrow.”

The match kicks off at 8:45 p.m. (Nigeria Time) at Stamford Bridge.

  • WhatsApp
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • Telegram
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket

Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate


TEXT AD: To advertise here . Call Willie +2347088095401...


JOIN THE CONVERSATION

  • Disqus (0)
premiumtimes



PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

Buhari’s SGF spends N65 million on website

Next Post

NFF Awards: Victor Moses, Oshoala pick top prizes

Jide Alaka

Jide Alaka

Former footballer, passionate football enthusiast and analyst and a proud Nigerian.

More News

Nigeria's rich Olympic history

ANALYSIS: How Nigeria can win five medals in athletics at Tokyo Olympics

February 27, 2021
Nigeria Golden Eaglets [PHOTO CREDIT: @thenff]

Why Nigeria’s dominance in age-grade football is under threat

February 6, 2021
Elizabeth Anyanacho

Seven Nigerian sports personalities to look out for in 2021

January 5, 2021
Deborah Onu

10 deaths that shook Nigerian sports in 2020

December 27, 2020
Coach Tipo at the Ebenezer Primary School, Egbeda.png

Inside Lagos School Where ‘Next Generation of Boxing Stars’ Are Trained

December 19, 2020
Diego Maradona

Tribute: Maradona, a unique football talent

November 25, 2020
Next Post
NFF Awards: Victor Moses, Oshoala pick top prizes

NFF Awards: Victor Moses, Oshoala pick top prizes

Auditor-General of the Federation, Anthony Ayine [Photo Credit: Independent Newspapers Nigeria]

Shortage of staff hinders our performance - Auditor-General

Discussion about this post

Search

#EndSARS: Latest Updates




Polaris Bank


JAIZ Ad


NITDA Ad





Glo Ad

Subscribe to News via Email

Enter your email address and receive notifications of news by email.

Join 1,626,467 other subscribers.

Advertisement






netherland biz school Advert

Zenith Advert
ADVERTISEMENT

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps in Nigeria
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • Opinion
  • PT Hausa
  • The Membership Club
  • Dubawa
    • Dubawa NG
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.