Chelsea vs Barcelona: A Champions League Tale

Jump up and get excited, it's that time again! The Champions League is back and oh how everyone's missed it. Two classics, in fact the two most common games in European history. After the semis Real and Bayern will have played each other 20 times with Chelsea and Barcelona having played each other 15 times. The Clásicos of European football, you could say. 

Another day, another match against Barcelona it seems - this time, it's different - or is it? Maybe the teams aren't the same as they once used to be but Chelsea in Europe is a completely different team to Chelsea in the Premier League. After all, there is only one English team in Europe. (Had to be said at some point)


Here are the best stats of the upcoming match to get you going. Whether they're positive or negative, stay optimistic for the match.

Barcelona have never beaten Chelsea in the Champions League when Chelsea have had 11 men on the pitch.

 That just shows you how key discipline will be for the upcoming match.

In the Champions League Chelsea and Barcelona have played each other 10 times. The record is equal with both winning three and the other four being drawn.

Despite the dominance of Barcelona, we've had a good record against them. Only losing three times when we have had a man sent off. Other than that the record is quite even. Not bad...

Barcelona have not beaten Chelsea in their previous 5 matches. Four draws and one Chelsea win. Chelsea are unbeaten against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.

Our recent form against Barcelona has been great, however you look at the teams now, and they're quite different to the ones which met face to face in 2009. 

Lionel Messi has never scored against Chelsea in his 6 appearances against them however he did provide the crucial assist for Iniesta's goal in 2009. On the other hand, Fernando Torres has 7 goals in 10 appearances vs Barcelona.

From one man who can't stop scoring to another who finds it very hard, Fernando Torres and Lionel Messi's fate seem to change when they face each other. Whether their records will continue, one only hopes. 
Now onto stats from this year's Champions League starting with the most pointless stat there is!

Barcelona have completed 3,244 more passes than Chelsea this Champions League season.

 This stat of course reminding us that Barcelona like to pass the ball a lot - and we don't.

Petr Cech (43) has had to make 34 more saves than Victor Valdes (9) in the Champions League this season.

This is my favourite stat of the lot. Just shows how little teams tend to attack Barcelona and how much teams attacks us. 

 In total, Chelsea have had 150 shots in the Champions League this season scoring 21 (2.1 per game). Barcelona have had 166 shots scoring 33 goals (3.3 per game).

Despite only having 16 shots less than Barcelona, Chelsea have scored 12 less goals. It's that man Messi who's killer instinct is something only Chelsea can dream of right now.

Chelsea have scored 16 goals at home in the Champions League, Barcelona have scored 15 away from home.

Scary, worrying, who knows?

Chelsea have scored first in every Champions League game this season, the only team to have done this. They have, however, only won 6 of the 10.

So we can gain the lead, but just not keep it. Shame. 

Chelsea have conceded 9 goals in the Champions League this season compared to Barcelona's 7. 

Chelsea have only conceded two at home, the lowest in the Champions League. Barcelona have conceded 3 goals away from home.

Tight, battle of the defences? 

Chelsea have won all 5 of their Champions League home games this season, scoring at least two in each one. 

Barcelona's top scorer is Lionel Messi with 14 goals (42%) whereas Chelsea's top scorer is Didier Drogba with 4 goals (19%).

Barcelona have had 10 different goal scorers, the same as Chelsea.

Fernando Torres and Lionel Messi have both been the highest assist makers for their teams, both with 4 assists.

Chelsea have used a total of 20 different players in the Champions League, Barcelona have used 29.

 Finally, here's a special one:

If you were to add up all the fantasy points gained by all the Chelsea players, it would add up to 555 points. Barcelona's total is 592.

To be fair that's not too bad considering Chelsea have used 9 less players than Barcelona. With the points difference being  37, had Chelsea had 9 more players, each would only need to have gained 4.1 points. Doable, I say.


Well, that was fun. No more stats, promise.

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Posted in: Stats