Tonight, one of the most storied rivalries in modern European football is reignited as Chelsea host Barcelona at Stamford Bridge in a crucial UEFA Champions League League Phase fixture.
Both heavyweights enter the match-up on seven points after four games, sitting perilously close to the top-eight cut-off and desperate to avoid the complexity of a play-off round, knowing that a defeat will virtually compel them into a further two-legged tie to advance.
There are narratives aplenty within this game and we are here to talk about it:
Don't let the midfield be dominated
The absence of Pedri and Gavi leaves Barcelona noticeably light in midfield, with only Frenkie de Jong, Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal available as natural options. As a result, Hansi Flick may be forced to rely on makeshift solutions to fill the deeper role and maintain balance in the centre of the pitch.
The midfield of Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández and another young superstar, likely operating just behind the striker, is what Barcelona will have to contend with this evening.
The tenacity of the two South Americans in the centre of the pitch could pose a challenge to Hansi Flick’s tactics, particularly his preference for moving the ball quickly to either flank to avoid being overrun in midfield. This will be crucial whether he pairs Eric García with FdJ, or opts for the Dutchman alongside Dani Olmo.
Barcelona will be determined not to be overran in midfield, as that area could ultimately decide the match, especially if Chelsea spring a surprise by welcoming their star man back into the squad. Cole Palmer has returned to training following a groin injury and a fractured toe, so it would be no shock to see him feature, despite Enzo Maresca’s suggestions to the contrary.
No room for error
Barcelona's performance in the UEFA Champions League this season has been notably disappointing and a stark contrast to the dominant form they displayed in the previous campaign. The early promise shown in the Newcastle victory has quickly been undone against holders PSG and now Club Brugge.
Currently, four games into the league phase, Barcelona find themselves positioned in 11th place on the table, standing far below the expectations and objectives of the club. With only four more matches remaining in this crucial phase, the margin for error has gone and now seeking perfection.
If Barcelona harbors any serious aspirations of achieving a top-eight finish and advancing further in the tournament, they must drastically improve their performance and secure maximum points in their remaining fixtures, as their current position leaves them in a precarious spot.
A loss to Chelsea could add to the pressure of winning the last three games, which will only secure 16 points - a feat that only scraped through to the automatic positions last year.
Four players at risk of suspension
Barcelona head into their next Champions League clash with a significant disciplinary concern as four players are at risk of being suspended for the next game.
Lamine Yamal, Marc Casadó, Frenkie de Jong and Fermín López all find themselves just one booking away from suspension, and should any member of the quartet receive another yellow card during the upcoming fixture in west London, they will automatically be ruled out of the crucial showdown with Eintracht Frankfurt.
With places in the knockout stages on the line, Hansi Flick will need to carefully manage his squad, balancing the need for a strong lineup with the risk of losing key players for a pivotal European tie.