Antonio Conte is ready to win against Barcelona. Chelsea’s club-record striker will watch from the bench as Olivier Giroud leads a proper front-line in search of the decisive goals.
Olivier Giroud’s decision to leave Arsenal looks wiser by the day. The Frenchman will start up for Chelsea at Camp Nou, leading a 3-4-3 formation built to score on a night when Chelsea need goals to advance in the Champions League.
As recently as 24 hours ago at the pre-match press conference, the familiar false-nine formation seemed in the cards. Willian alluded to the set-up during his portion of the media event, while Conte deflected questions about the false-nine to talk about Alvaro Morata’s training and progress. Willian will be in his usual place on the right side, from which he has been absolutely vital to Chelsea’s successes over the last month. Eden Hazard will be the No. 10 on the opposite side, leaving him with no excuses over the formation or likely tactics.
If Chelsea progress on Giroud’s offence, this game will go down as a turning point in the season. It will not be as dramatic as the shift to the 3-4-3 in 2016, but it will add to the story of Antonio Conte’s boldness.
Tonight's team to play Barcelona...#BARCHE pic.twitter.com/d4i3IXpxhA
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 14, 2018
Alvaro Morata has under-performed for several months, not only in his goal production but his effort, attitude, discipline and off-the-ball play. He was one of the few players Chelsea bought at Antonio Conte’s specific request, but Conte cannot persist with Morata in a game like this.
However, Conte also chose Giroud over the now-familiar and well-drilled false-nine. Using Hazard as the false-nine suffices for a defensive-orientation, but not for a day when the Blues need at least one goal. Hazard has not yet found his offensive nous in the false-nine, and Antonio Conte cannot hope for today to be the day.
Few could argue that Morata deserves a crucial Champions League start. But dropping the nominal starter – who is also the club record signing – and the favoured back-up plan is not a light decision. Not even at Chelsea, and definitely not at Barcelona
Next: Predictions: One more draw means one more win for the Blues
The idea of starting Olivier Giroud at Camp Nou in the second leg of a Champions League tie was a common joke in the final days of January. Now, it is a reality, one that is filling Chelsea fans with admiration and anticipation rather than morbid humour.