Eden Hazard on strike

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte faces a conundrum of balancing his tendency for caution with their need to score to get past Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 tonight.

Conte’s plan to contain and counterattack nearly worked in the first leg three weeks ago as Willian put the hosts in front and also hit the woodwork twice. But one Andreas Christensen error cost Conte’s men as Barca pounced for a vital away goal. However, while Willian shone, Eden Hazard was unable to exert the influence he desires in an unfamiliar centre-forward role. “It’s important to understand that we must be prepared to suffer, if we play with Hazard as No 9, or if we play with (Olivier) Giroud or (Alvaro) Morata as No 9 and Hazard as No 10,” Conte said, indicating he’s likely to give it another go.

Hazard certainly suffered again when deployed in a central role as Chelsea were passed off the park by Manchester City in a 1-0 defeat nine days ago. “When you leave the pitch you have the impression that you’ve ran, but that you haven’t played a game of football,” said Hazard as City recorded a Premier League record 902 passes.


The root of Hazard’s discontent is Conte’s lack of faith in either Morata or Giroud. Hazard’s best displays throughout his Chelsea career have come when playing off a focal point, most notably in two Premier League title winning seasons alongside Diego Costa.

WILL INIESTA RETURN?
Andres Iniesta has a knack for great performances against Chelsea. His injury-time goal in the semifinals of the 2009 Champions League remains one of the most important of his career. And he also scored against the English club in the 2012 semifinals, even though Barcelona were eliminated.

In the first leg, it was Iniesta who set up Lionel Messi’s important away goal. It’s unclear, though, if he will get a chance tonight. The midfielder is nursing a hamstring injury in his right leg and is listed as doubtful. The 33-year-old had to be replaced in the first half of Barcelona’s league match against Atletico Madrid on March 4. He grabbed his right thigh before going down. On Monday, he practiced with teammates for the first time since the injury.

If he can’t play, coach Ernesto Valverde won’t have an easy time picking his substitute. Andre Gomes has been constantly jeered by part of fans because of his lacklustre performances. Paulinho started the season well but hasn’t played at the same level recently. Valverde could even consider drastically changing the team’s tactical scheme by replacing Iniesta with Ousmane Dembele. It would be a much more aggressive set up.