Antonio Conte’s side face a daunting task at the Nou Camp on Wednesday
Conte revealed he would not consider dumping Barcelona out of the Champions League something to crow about.
Chelsea need a victory on Wednesday night in the Nou Camp, or gain a 2-2 draw – like they did in 2012 when they left Lionel Messi in tears after the Catalans’ Champions League semi-final exit. But Conte insisted such an outcome would not feature high on his CV.
“I hope in my career I consider an achievement when you win something,” said the Italian, who landed the title in his first year with the Blues and landed La Liga three years in a row with Juventus.
“I think this is a big achievement for a manager, for a coach. In this case, we are talking about the last-16.”
It was a pretty clear message to his team not to get carried out if they come out on top on Wednesday night. And Conte also gave a big nudge to Belgium star Hazard, who was nowhere near his best in the 1-1 draw with Barca in the first leg, to up his game.
Having earlier described Andres Iniesta – who is set to shake off a hamstring injury and start on Wednesday night – as “a genius” the Blues boss was asked whether Hazard also deserved that plaudit.
“We are talking about two different players with different careers,” he said. “Iniesta won a lot in his career. Hazard has to start to win important trophies in his career.”
Hazard made it crystal clear after the home game he did not enjoy playing through the middle, as he was asked to do by his boss. Despite insisting last night Hazard can play as a false 9, Conte is expected to allow him to go back out wide on Wednesday night and bring in Olivier Giroud as a central striker.
Despite Barcelona being hot favourites to win, history is on Chelsea’s side with them not having lost to the La Liga giants in their last eight encounters, six of them draws and two victories.
The most celebrated success came in 2012 when the west Londoners secured a 2-2 draw with 10 men – after John Terry’s dismissal – at the Nou Camp. That took them through to the final – which they won – 3-2 on aggregate.
Antonio Conte oversees Chelsea’s training session in the Nou Camp
Eden Hazard has to start to win important trophies in his career
Messi missed a penalty and ended up sobbing. Then team-mate Alexis Sanchez revealed later: “You might cry during a game if you lose a final.
“In the dressing-room after the Chelsea game, I saw Leo cry.”
Conte suggested he could see it becoming another ’tear we go’ encounter tonight for the Argentine genuius.
“Barcelona are one of the best teams in the world,” he said. “They are winning the league, they are in a final of the Spanish Cup. They have all the characteristics to have a great season. But, as you know very well, football…you are never sure with football.”
Eden Hazard struggled in the first leg against Barcelona
While Messi and Hazard have commanded plenty of attention in the build-up, Chelsea’s hopes of progress look like they could hinge on the far-less revered Willian.
The 29-year-old was the man of the match at Stamford Bridge, scoring a superbly-struck goal from outside the box and also hitting the post twice with two other shots in the first half. Willian has scored five goals in his last five outings for the club, and grabbed three of Chelsea’s last four strikes.
Barca boss Ernesto Valderde was well aware of the Brazilian’s threat. “Not only has he been doing to well in the first leg, he has been playing really great with Chelsea,” he said.
“He is scoring easily and he is a player we have to watch closely. He is one of those players who find shooting so easy. And they can score even easier if they are in a good streak. He is in his best form of the season.”
William said: “Of course, I’m happy with my form at the moment. I’m happy with the goals that I’ve scored, but I want more.
“We come here respecting Barcelona – they are great and have great players, a big club like Chelsea are a big club.
“We want to do our job, the perfect job, to go through to the next round.”
