Stamford Bridge plays host to Tuesday night’s standout Champions League fixture, as Chelsea reignite their rivalry with La Liga champions Barcelona.
There are generations of Blues supporters who detest the Catalan giants solely because of the events that played out in west London on May 6, 2009. An Andrés Iniesta strike in stoppage time sent Barça into the Champions League final at Chelsea’s expense, but only after the hosts had multiple penalty claims waved away by referee Tom Henning Øvrebø.
Revenge was enacted in 2012, when a David-like Chelsea side led by Roberto Di Matteo stunned the behemoths from Catalonia on their way to a maiden Champions League crown.
The two teams then met in the round of 16 of the competition in 2017–18, where Barcelona outclassed Antonio Conte’s Blues.
The stakes aren’t quite as high on Tuesday, with the pair facing off on matchday five of the league phase. Both have notched seven points from their opening four games and are on the outside looking in regarding a top-eight spot. Barcelona were involved in a chaotic 3–3 draw at Club Brugge last time out, while Chelsea could only muster a point away at Qarabag.
However, they each notched domestic victories at the weekend and currently occupy second spot in their respective league tables.
Here’s’s guide to Tuesday’s Champions League duel.
