FC Barcelona News: 20 February 2018

Match Preview: Chelsea vs Barça in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 | FC Barcelona
It’s a matchup that appears only once in a blue moon — pun intended — as FC Barcelona faces Chelsea FC, aka The Blues, in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge. Kickoff is at 8.45pm CET.

Valverde: ‘It’s a great challenge to take on Antonio Conte’ | FC Barcelona
The Champions League is back as Barça take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday at 8.45pm CET in the first leg of their last 16 tie. Blaugrana boss Ernesto Valverde appeared before the press in London on Monday, revealing the expectation associated with the return of Europe’s premier club competition. “We are all looking forward to it starting again as we have been waiting for this game for a long time,” said Valverde.

Barça’s 12 hours in London | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona are in London to play the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Chelsea at 8.45pm CET on Tuesday. The blaugranas travelled to the UK on Monday with Ernesto Valverde taking 21 players with him. In the video above you can watch how their first day unfolded in London.

Rakitic: ‘We need to be perfect to win’ | FC Barcelona
One of the protagonists of the build-up is Ivan Rakitic and he spoke to the assembled media about the dangers Chelsea pose: “It will be very tough and we will have to play the best we can to win, we need to be perfect. They are a strong team and getting through their midfield will not be easy. They are organised and they will make life hard for us.”

Terry Gibson: Luis Suarez back to his best for impressive Barcelona | Sky Sports
The striker struggled for form at the start of the season, but has scored 10 goals since the turn of the year. And Sky Sports Spanish football expert Gibson has explained why he has been impressed by Suarez and Barcelona, who are still competing on three fronts this season.

Who will replace Philippe Coutinho for Barcelona in the Champions League? | ESPN
Luis Enrique liked to rotate during his three years at Barcelona but he knew his best XI when it was mattered. In fact, it was so nailed on that the Catalan press ended up using the term “Gala XI” when he sporadically rolled it out, usually on the big Champions League nights or in Clasicos against Real Madrid.