Chelsea’s rivalry with Barcelona is one steeped in history, beginning in the 1999/2000 Champions League quarter finals where despite an impressive 3-1 win over the Catalan side at home, Chelsea were thrashed 5-1 at the Camp Nou.
It’s a fixture that has provided some of the greatest moments in the club’s history, but also some of the darkest. Chelsea’s win over Barcelona in 2004/05 and 2011/12 and controversial loss in 2008/09 couldn’t juxtapose each other any more if you tried. The last few years have been quiet. In fact, it’s been over eight and a half years since the two sides last faced with both clubs seeing a lot of inconsistency in their quests for European dominance. Nevertheless, it’s a tie that should always prick the ears of any fan of football because you’ll always get a spectacle.
I’m not an enormous fan of the new Champions League format that was introduced last year, it’s far too easy for a top team to make it through to the playoffs at minimum, but that didn’t take away from the occasion in the build up to this game.
Chelsea’s group of young lads are a team that’s growing with every big game they play in. There was a period a few years ago where it felt like we were so far away from the quality and character which Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool possess. That’s never been Chelsea’s identity, growing up we were a team where no matter the occasion, we’d rise to it. That sense of inferiority has gradually disappeared under Enzo Maresca.
When fixtures were finalised, this match stood out above the rest. However, sandwiched between both Burnley and Arsenal it certainly placed itself as the most important nine days of the season thus far.
Naturally, the group chat spent much of the day predicting potential score lines and debating lineups. One member was laughed at extensively, for daring to pose the idea of a more fluid front three without a traditional number 9. Needless to say, they had the last laugh.
Pre-game, we met at Sixes pub in Fulham and were delighted with the near unwatchable sight of Ajax hosting Benfica. Sitting in front of a roaring fire, the main focus naturally turned to the evening’s game. Rumours circulated of Cole Palmer at long-last being included in a matchday squad… frustratingly, team news at 6:45pm put a rapid end to this. The pre-game nattering also provided the opportunity to trial Brewdog’s Blackheart Stout, on tap instead of Guinness. I must say I rather enjoyed its chocolatey undertones.
At this point, given what he’s achieved in the last year, I find it very hard to pick fault or have any kind of doubt in whichever Starting XI Enzo Maresca names, last night was no exception. In hindsight, starting with no recognised striker made complete sense in order to take advantage of Barcelona’s notoriously high line.
I genuinely believe that there are very few stadiums that can rival the atmosphere of Stamford Bridge in a big midweek European fixture under the lights. It’s the tightness of the ground, putting you on top of the pitch as it becomes a bubbling cauldron of atmosphere. The atmosphere was phenomenal from the off, it’s always slightly special to hear the Champions League anthem pre-game and it really helps to set the tone of the occasion.
Barcelona had a rather small travelling contingent, which were drowned out from minute one thanks to Chelsea’s start to the game and what a start it was. This is the third time in the last few months where Enzo Maresca has turned up to a big game (PSG and Liverpool previously) and had the opposition’s number from kick off. Chelsea’s defence and midfield were effective at shutting Barcelona out of the game almost entirely. That being said Fermín López, missed an enormous chance just six minutes into the game, thankfully he couldn’t find the target.
In total, Chelsea put the ball in the back of Barcelona’s net six times last night. Unfortunately only three of these counted and it was starting to feel like it could have been ‘one of those nights’ before Jules Koundé unfortunately put the ball in his own net. Barcelona made the bold move of switching sides at kick off, which really did make it quite difficult to discern exactly what happened at the back here.
Ronald Araújo’s red card was certainly one of the most reckless and needless I’ve ever seen. As Barcelona’s captain, the first yellow was unforgivable as he effectively squared up to the referee. Minutes later, he chopped Marc Cucurella to the floor. It certainly made the half-time Guinness all the more tasty.
Estêvão’s goal left the stadium awestruck. To be able to keep such tight control of the ball as he dipped and dived between Barcelona players yet still be able to unleash a rocket at the end of it is a talent few possess. This is a player who has received more and more hype from fans and media alike in recent weeks, but he comes across as extremely grounded and focused. Last night makes it seven goals in seven starts for Brazil and Chelsea. The noise the Stamford Bridge crowd makes when his name is read out is only comparable to that of Cole Palmer’s. Stamford Bridge may disagree on some things, but it knows it has a superstar in its hands with Estêvão.
Liam Delap’s goal was the icing on the cake. It also looked like it was to fall victim to the offside flag but a VAR review confirmed that Enzo Fernández was indeed onside. It’s hard not to feel a little bad for Liam, this is his first goal of the season in a huge game but he was unable to celebrate because the linesman was a bit trigger happy. I’m also a bit bitter simply because he has a very cool celebration that likely would’ve happened right in front of me. Nevertheless, going from scoring for Ipswich to scoring against Barcelona in six months is quite a story.
It’s hard to pick a standout performance from last night, everyone was genuinely that good. If I had to pick one, it wouldn’t be any of the players, it would be the manager. The job he’s done at the club is simply fantastic, his doubters are quieter than ever and it really does feel like he’s galvanised fans and players alike. This was clearest post-game as a huge number of fans stayed to applaud the team as they rounded all four corners of the ground. ‘That’s the Way’ by KC and The Sunshine Band blasted out of the Stamford Bridge speakers in tribute to Estêvão’s new match day song.
Up next Arsenal. A monumental game in our season with a win putting us within three points of them, a loss however would leave us nine adrift. What I do know is last night’s performance will have given this ever evolving side more belief than ever.
The Shed Diaries 