Barcelona vs. Chelsea: Blues Must Score Early Against Reeling Defending Champs

Not only did Barcelona lose the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal against Chelsea last week at Stamford Bridge, but they lost a must-win showdown with La Liga rivals Real Madrid this weekend.

The Catalan giants are all but finished in their quest for a fourth straight league crown, and they're down 1-0 to the Blues going into today's second leg.

Saying they're reeling on the ropes doesn't do justice to the current desperation setting in on Pep Guardiola's squad.

A loss today would mean the Copa Del Rey is the only bit of silverware Barca could attain this season.

But their opponent does not take the field without pressure either.

The Blues hold a slim 1-0 lead and are coming off a disappointing goalless draw with Arsenal that could have vaulted them back into position for a berth in next year's Champions League tournament.

Chelsea has four Premier League games and the FA Cup final remaining, but they trail Newcastle's fourth-place spot by four points and Arsenal's third-place spot by seven points.

The chances of them closing for fourth isn't impossible, but they have an opportunity to earn a Champions League final berth right now.

Barca is riding only the second two-game losing streak they've faced all season—and the first one didn't even count as it came in the World Football Challenge.

This is unknown territory for the world's most talented club, and the one thing Chelsea must do is score early if they want to complete the upset.

The Catalan giants have arguably the best scorer in the world in Lionel Messi, but the West London outfit did a fine job of forcing him back upfield to receive the ball in the first leg.

In order to do that again they'll need to score and then push the Barca star back upfield.

If the Spanish side find the net first, it could turn ugly for Chelsea early, but if the Blues flip the script and essentially land a knockdown punch on the reeling champs, the house could come crashing down.

Both clubs take the pitch today knowing this is the most important match of their season so there should be no shortage of drama once the ball the whistle blows.