3-4-2-1: Conte Makes 3 Changes | Expected Chelsea XI vs Barcelona
Chelsea face a daunting task as they head to the Nou Camp looking to beat Barcelona to book their place in the quarter finals of the Champions League.
Here is the side we think Antonio Conte will pick for the game:
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois is certain to once again keep his place between the sticks tomorrow with Willy Caballero on the bench.
Defence: Skipper Gary Cahill was recalled for the win over Crystal Palace at the weekend but Antonio Rudiger is back in contention after recovering from a knock.
I think the German international will be given the nod so Cahill is the man expected to make way with Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta keeping their places.
The back three have the unenviable task of trying to stifle the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho so they better be on top form tomorrow night.
Midfield: N’Golo Kante made a successful return to the side at the weekend and no doubt the French international will keep his place in midfield at the Nou Camp.
Danny Drinkwater and Tiemoue Bakayoko are pushing for recalls but I think Conte will stick with Cesc Fabregas and he’ll be looking to impress against his boyhood club.
Victor Moses is set for a recall in the right wing-back position so he should replace Davide Zappacosta while Marcos Alonso is also expected to keep his place meaning Emerson Palmeiri will be on the bench.
Attack: The big decision for Conte is how he’ll set-up in attack. Olivier Giroud impressed against Palace at the weekend but he’s deployed Eden Hazard in a ‘false 9’ role in the big games this season.
He went with that system during the 1-1 first leg at Stamford Bridge so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hazard up front with Pedro and Willian offering support.
That means Giroud will drop to the bench where he’ll be joined by Alvaro Morata – who’s struggled to hold down a regular starting spot in recent weeks.
Here is how we think Chelsea will line-up:
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adeleke abiodun smart
March 13, 2018 at 10:09 pm
to all my Chelsea fans, pls beg conte not to start harzad as a false no 9 in up front, since we av giroud,or morata at d club. let harzad and William play at d attacker and morata up front
Reuben
March 14, 2018 at 3:32 am
Very tired for that formations
vincent shinaka
March 14, 2018 at 5:24 am
Giroud to strike then Eden to replace Pedro on the left
Matthew Musa
March 14, 2018 at 5:30 am
Pls conte use Giroud ahead of morata. Don’t use hazard as no. 9 again pls. @ matthew
Musa
March 14, 2018 at 6:58 am
I never see this type of coach is this when you have two striker in bench and you are using hazard to strike his just killing hazard stelys
Godwin
March 14, 2018 at 11:34 am
If conte is tired of coaching Chelsea pls he should leave us alone,why much he be playing hazard as a false 9 when we have morata a champion league player giroud on the bench.
danson
March 14, 2018 at 11:49 am
conte is a fantastic coach,but we need Giroud upfront against barca
Stevo
March 14, 2018 at 11:49 am
Conte needs dliverance for sure
bashiir
March 14, 2018 at 12:38 pm
4 3 3 is good
Dezzy
March 14, 2018 at 1:16 pm
Morata or Giroud upfront. What a stupid formation killing Hazard style of playing
Idzai zimuto
March 14, 2018 at 1:32 pm
Is coutinho available for the game today,thought he is not eligible to play champions league
Yohanna thomas
March 14, 2018 at 1:40 pm
We need attacker up front conte pls
Kabiru K. Kurfi
March 14, 2018 at 2:50 pm
Giroud pls
Hamza K. Musah
March 14, 2018 at 3:16 pm
The blues are going to win tonight, if God wishes.
Gibson P. Shilue
March 14, 2018 at 3:43 pm
Chelsea fans, please tell conte to use one strike tonight. I wish your success tonight
Oloko Kolawole
March 14, 2018 at 4:26 pm
GIROUD OR MORATA SHOULD LEAD THE ATTACK,I SEE CHELSEA REPEAT 2012 DRAMA
CHELSEA ALL THE WAY.THEY SHOULD PLAY WITH DETERMINATION AND WINNING SPIRIT,THIS IS FINAL BEFORE FINAL.UP BLUES.
Edwin
March 14, 2018 at 5:02 pm
This formation of using hazard as a ‘false no.9’ is killing our dream of proceeding into the next level
jjemba ismail
March 14, 2018 at 5:58 pm
hi Conte will you please use morata as striker but don’t kill Harzad we will win back he can do like Torres what he did
Vakaideya
March 14, 2018 at 6:01 pm
We need Giroud or morata in this match, please conte, stop using Hazard as false `9
Odong charles
March 14, 2018 at 6:24 pm
Conte should start with morata upfront if they want positive result tonight good luck Chelsea fc
Abbas saeed
March 14, 2018 at 8:23 pm
Wish u goodlock chealsea