FC Barcelona News: 21 February 2018

MATCH REPORT: Chelsea FC 1-1 FC Barcelona: All square at the Bridge | FC Barcelona
Barça have now gone eight consecutive games without beating Chelsea, but tonight’s draw, including that precious away goal, stand them in good stead for the second leg, set for March 14, on a night when things could have ended much worse.

Leo Messi ends dry spell against Chelsea | FC Barcelona
It took nine matches and 730 minutes of football against Chelsea for Leo Messi to score his first goal against them. It came 12 years after his debut against the Premier League club, which was back on the 22 February 2006, a day when he dazzled the world with his skills, even if he did not find the net.

Lionel Messi is carrying too much of the creative burden at Barcelona | Sky Sports
Lionel Messi finally got that long-awaited goal, his first against Chelsea in nine attempts. The late equaliser at Stamford Bridge ensured Barcelona remain big favourites to progress to the quarter finals of the Champions League. But the manner of the performance raised doubts over the wisdom of Ernesto Valverde putting so much of the burden on his star player.

HIGHLIGHTS: Chelsea 1, Barça 1 | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona picked up a valuable 1-1 draw on Tuesday night against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie. The Premier League side took the lead in the second half through Brazilian midfielder Willian, before Andrés Iniesta set up Leo Messi for the all important equaliser and his first ever goal against the London club.

Ernesto Valverde: ‘Good result, the Camp Nou will decide’ | FC Barcelona
Speaking after Tuesday night’s Champions League visit to Chelsea, coach Ernesto Valverde seemed content enough with the 1-1 draw. “I’m happy, because this was Stamford Bridge, not the Camp Nou,” he said. “This is a difficult ground and we were playing against the Premier League champions.”

Barcelona agree deal to sign Gremio’s Arthur, 21 - sources | ESPN
Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle with Brazilian club Gremio to sign midfielder Arthur in a deal which could reach €40 million, sources have told ESPN Deportes’ Jordi Blanco. The 21-year-old was named the most valuable player in the Copa Libertadores final as his side won the premier international South American competition in November.

VIDEO: The Top 5 La Masia goals from February 17–18, 2018 | FC Barcelona
Hey, Barça fans! As always, it’s time to present the goals of the week from the FC Barcelona Academy teams’ games played over the last weekend. Two of the goals were scored by a pair of Under 19 B players in their game played at Reus. But more impressively, one of our Under 16 B players, Mamadou Saidou, appears twice on this week’s Top 5 list!