So, can Chelsea avenge the pain of recent Champions League defeats and overcome their nemesis, the almighty Barcelona in the semis?
In truth the odds are stacked against Chelsea. Despite their recent upturn in form and superb result at the weekend in the cup, you still don’t know exactly what to expect from this Chelsea team. Their limits are difficult to discern – their quality hard to quantify. What we do know is that the Blues are probably playing their best football of the season.
Another important question is whether Barcelona are quite as good as they were. Are they better than ever or just beyond their apex?
Whilst their form at home and in Europe has been consistent, they don’t seem to be taking teams apart in quite the same style as previous years, or even as they were earlier this season. They have added excellence to their squad in the shape of Sanchez and Fabreges and another youth product, Isaac Cuenca, has come to the fore. But I’m not sure that they are quite as good as the team which was surely the best club side ever, between 2008-2011.
It’s not that much has changed. Xavi is well into his thirties now and perhaps Iniesta hasn’t been quite in his pomp of late, but there is a remarkable consistency in the playing staff at the Nou Camp.
In general, I don’t think that Barcelona particularly like playing against Chelsea. They can’t get around them quite as easily as they seem to with many other sides. Chelsea surely wouldn’t even be close to the top of Barca’s wish list for semi final opponents, based on previous games.
As for Chelsea themselves, we all know it’s not going to be easy and Barcelona have to be considered as comfortable favourites but this tie isn’t going to be as one sided as many have suggested. Chelsea have regained a superb sense of unity since AVB left and they will be fighting tooth and nail for this one.
I am licking my lips at the prospect of another gargantuan tussle between the two. THAT goal by Micheal Essien in 2009 should further whet the appetites.
