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Chelsea’s record at Camp Nou offers an odd brand of hope

By Travis Tyler

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Willian of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on February 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images,)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Willian of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on February 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images,) /
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To advance in the Champions League, Chelsea need to either win at Camp Nou or have a scoring draw. Their record there offers an odd brand of hope.

When Chelsea travel to Barcelona for the Champions League, they will be at a disadvantage on aggregate. A near perfect plan was ruined when Lionel Messi put his first goal against Chelsea into the net. Per the away goal rule, Barcelona are ahead on the tiebreaker.

But the math is simple. A win for either team puts them through. A scoreless draw works for Barcelona. A scoring draw works for Chelsea in every way. Chelsea’s record at Camp Nou actually offers an odd brand of hope in that regard.

Since 2006, Chelsea are undefeated at Camp Nou. They also have not won. Yes, all four matches in the last 12 years at Camp Nou have ended as draws.

Only one of those draws was scoreless. Again, 0-0 suits Barcelona just fine. The remaining three ended 1-1 once and 2-2 twice.

It is highly unlikely that Barcelona use their home ground advantage to play out a scoreless draw. For Chelsea, the calculus stays the same. The Blues must score. The history points not only towards them doing so, but also towards them at least forcing extra time.

Related Story: Five lessons Chelsea must take from Crystal Palace to win at Barcelona

In addition, two of the away fixtures have been during second legs of a knockout round. The clubs have split results that way. Barcelona advanced during the 2005/2006 matchup but Chelsea (famously) advanced during the 2011/2012 matchup.

The Blues will be hoping to draw upon the heroics of the most recent result at Camp Nou that saw the Blues through. Chelsea has several players who remember the match from both sides. Gary Cahill started the last time out for Chelsea and Cesc Fabregas lined up on the other side. Pedro watched from the bench.

Even if none of those three players partake in the match, the experience they have from the last Camp Nou trip (from both sides) is extremely valuable for the new crop of players asked to hold the line.

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Chelsea have a chance to slip past Barcelona at their own ground. History shows favorable results for that event. But history has never won a match and the Blues will need to be at the top of their game to advance.

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