FC Barcelona vs. Chelsea FC: Preview, Live Stream, Start Time and More

Chelsea have little time to savor their 5-1 victory over Tottenham this past weekend, as they must be ready for their biggest test of the season: playing hosts to Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal.

The two clubs will be meeting for the 13th time in their history, dating all the way to 1966 in the old Fairs Cup, which is now known as Europa League. Despite the superior reputation Barca brings into the match, neither side really has the upper hand in terms of record, with Spaniards winning five, Chelsea taking four and the other four ending in draws.

However, none of the results eclipse the memories that haunt the blue-blooded loyals as those from their 2009 Champions League bout. This pairing has reinvigorated the fans and players, who will look to bury the burdens of poor officiating and come away with a clean victory on their own.

At the same time, the two clubs that faced off on that night hardly mirror those playing now. Chelsea has aged considerably in that time, and though they are enjoying bit of spark under interim manager Roberto Di Matteo, they do not have the same cunning display of tactical brilliance they did back then.

Barcelona, who was emerging as a contender in 2009, are now at the peak of their project. Lionel Messi and co. are operating at the highest of levels and are heavy favorites going into match, though they would be wise to not take the stubborn defense of Chelsea lightly.

Here is everything you need to know about the game.

Where: Stamford Bridge, London

When: Wednesday, April 18, 2:45 p.m. EDT

Watch: Fox Soccer Channel

Player to Watch: Juan Mata

Odds are Chelsea will come out in a defensive front, worried about conceding at home and giving themselves little hope at advancing from Nou Camp. Barcelona’s potent offense has many moving parts and an incredible amount of skill. But at the same time, Chelsea is perhaps better than anyone at “parking the bus” in front of their goal and staying disciplined in their own half.

This will leave the attacking players of Chelsea isolated and alone, expected to create on their own with little help from the midfield. The forwards, whoever it will be, will likely find themselves constantly being hounded by the defenders and will have few opportunities to break through. But when they do, Juan Mata must be the man to deliver the ball.

Mata has been either the key to Chelsea’s success or their point of failure. When he has a good game, the Blues have come out on top more often than not. But when he struggles or is not influential on the ball, the entire attack screeches to a halt.

Evidence of this is not seen anywhere better than their recent FA Cup match against Tottenham. In the first half, Mata struggled to create many chances. His touches were poor and he was not able to get into space to receive the ball. In the second he became livelier and ultimately figured in three of Chelsea’s four second-half goals.

He will be asked to do a lot on Wednesday, releasing either Drogba or Torres with little help. But if he can be get himself just a little bit of space and deliver that one perfect ball, it could make all the difference in the match and possibly Chelsea’s Champions League future. 

Stats Tell the Story

• Chelsea’s considerable size advantage holds the key to getting the victory. They have won 9.2 of aerial balls per game as opposed to Barcelona who only averages 5.8.

• Chelsea has 10 losses on the season in all competitions, but in only two of them were they out possessed.

• Barcelona has eight players who average better than 90 percent passing per game in Champions League.

Interesting Trivia

Messi has played more games against Chelsea without scoring a goal than against any other opposition, six total. Conversely, Fernando Torres has scored seven goals in 10 matches against Barcelona while with Atletico Madrid.

What they’re Saying

Despite being almost a month-and-a-half removed from the failed experiment of Andre Villas-Boas, Chelsea vice captain Frank Lampard still cannot seem to let up on his former manager. In praise of the job Di Matteo has done, there is a slight dig at the Portuguese boss:

"

Robbie has been brilliant, he took over a team that was looking like going out of the Champions League, struggling in the league. He loves the club, he has brought confidence into the dressing room, spoke to all the players and you can see the response he has got. He deserves full credit, and I can't speak highly enough of him.

"

Lamps may be trying to secure the future of a manager that obviously has a high praise for the England man, but he is too smart to not be aware of what he was saying.

Barcelona, on the other hand, is looking at the immediate future. With the media doing as lovely job as ever in an attempt to stirrup controversy, veteran midfielder Javier Mascherano would not take the bait of downplaying the Chelsea match when asked about the upcoming El Clasico:

"

We’re in a Champions League semifinal and we have a great opportunity to reach the final. It would be a really big mistake to focus on Real Madrid first, because Wednesday’s match is very difficult and will go a long way to deciding the tie.

"

Smart and savvy move, something that comes with years of dealing with the piranhas of the tabloids.

Prediction: Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona

It will be brutal, slow and ugly to watch. Unless you are a Chelsea fan, of course. Then it will be pure elation as the Blues bunker in from a 90-minute siege on their goal. I can even see the stats indicating a much more balanced game in terms of chances on goal. Chelsea will get a few off dead ball situations, but unable to make anything of it.

But at the same time, there are few teams who have frustrated Pep Guardiola as much as this one.

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