Chelsea’s draw with Barcelona shows they have plenty of fight in them
By Travis Tyler
Chelsea held one the best teams in the world at bay and were unlucky to only draw. The result shows that this Blues team has plenty of fight in them.
Not much was expected of this Chelsea side against Barcelona. They had a terrible January and were not far removed from two embarrassing losses. The vultures circled around Antonio Conte.
Meanwhile, Barcelona were rampaging. Though more reserved than they have been in years, they were in control of the league. On paper, Barcelona were going to have an easy time at the Bridge.
But Barcelona had anything but an easy time. Though Chelsea saw little of the ball, they were in control of the match. Chelsea decided where Barcelona went, when they went there and how they got there. Antonio Conte set his team up to fight for every inch and every second. He nearly pulled off a perfect masterclass.
The first half saw Chelsea with the better chances. Willian banged the ball off the post twice. Barcelona had no ideas of how to push through the Chelsea defense. The second half started much the same. All it took was Willian finding a bit of space to put Chelsea ahead.
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Unfortunately, the fight was mentally taxing on the Blues. A misplaced Andreas Christensen pass crossed over the box. Cesar Azpilicueta missed his diving tackle to deflect it away. And Lionel Messi pounced. It was the one mistake in a day of perfection from Chelsea.
Perhaps the note to take from the match is how much grit Chelsea had. This team has struggled for weeks against all opponents. But against Barcelona, they had purpose and resolve. They were not going to let the Spanish side walk over them.
Antonio Conte was once again the mad man on the sideline. He lived every kick and tackle with his players. With the goal, he celebrated in exuberant fashion. His energy was infectious. The players and fans fed off of it and channelled it.
But the kind of fight the Blues showed requires more than just an energetic manager. This was something deep seeded within them. It was the type of performance the old guard that bled Blue would put in against Barcelona any day of the week. This Blues team came into their own against Barcelona.
The pitch was not the only front that Chelea fought Barcelona on. The Blues were in their rivals head before the first whistle even blew. The Barcelona side remembers their last exit to Chelsea through its leaders. Almost half of their starting XI in 2012 played again today.
Meanwhile, Chelsea did not share that burden. The only players from 2012 playing in Blue had been on the other side the last time. Cesc Fabregas and Pedro will have used their experience to help Chelsea know the right buttons to push. Chelsea let Barcelona play their game but did not let them think they had a chance.
Mentally and physically, Chelsea broke Barcelona down until they had almost nothing left to give. It took mistakes from the fatigued Blues and Lionel Messi to even the score. The result may not be ideal, but Chelsea went much farther towards winning the overall tie than Barcelona did.
The reverse fixture remains an open contest. A win from either side will see them through. A scoring draw will see Chelsea through or into extra time. A scoreless draw goes Barcelona’s way.
Camp Nou is one of the toughest grounds to play away at in the world. But when this Barcelona team walks out as favorites in the second leg, they will do so aware that this Blues team has just as much fight as all the others they have faced.
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That will be perceived as a daunting task by the Spanish side, even at their home. Meanwhile, Chelsea have nothing to lose and all to fight for.