Barcelona coach reveals his team is afraid of Chelsea for this reason

macfranc007 February 21, 2018 IFTTT, Latest Sport News | Today on Naij.com Akan Anwankwo

- Enersto Valverde has said that he would have preferred not to play against Chelsea in the last 16

- The Barcelona manager also stressed that he was wary of the threat his opponents possess

- Valverde's believes the past encounters between both clubs will make the match a spectacle

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has admitted he wanted to avoid facing Chelsea in the Champions League last 16.

The former Barcelona player said he is wary of the incredible form shown by Premier League defending champions in the competition this season.

Chelsea came second behind group winners, Roma who edge the English side on a head-to-head rule while Valverde's side finished three points ahead of Juventus to win Group D, and made no secret of the fact he would have preferred the standings to be reversed.

“We wish Chelsea had finished first in their group so we didn’t have to play them,” Valverde said.

“They’re the Premier League champions, a very strong team there on merit. English teams this year are in incredible form, much better than in previous years.

"Chelsea might be the same. We know that, because the English have such a strong league, they’ll all be up there competing.”

Barcelona's 2-0 win at Eibar on Saturday ensured the Catalans remain seven points clear at the top of La Liga standings.

Eibar gave the league leaders a run for their money with a high-pressing style that proved to be a useful warm-up for what Barça will face at Stamford Bridge.

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Valverde said Chelsea pose a bigger threat but states that their system is not unfamiliar.

“Chelsea have a unique style of football and know their own game. The English style of football is very unique, very physical, but they play good football as well.

"It’s different playing Chelsea because of their formation, but Girona play with a similar system in La Liga so we’ve played against it before.”

Valverde was full of praise of Antonio Conte's tactics stressing that his team will have to do much to break into their opponent defence and also cope with their counter-attacking style.

“He’s one of the best managers in the world with a great record. You can see the quality of his coaching in the teams he coaches.

"He’s got the classic Italian methods: very strong defensively and can counter at any moment. It’s very clearly a team run by him."

The former Athletic Bilbao coach also made reference to past encounters between both clubs, that the rivalry will shape the contest.

“Of course, previous games do count.

“You have to look at them, though they have little to do with what will happen in reality.

"The key players change from time to time Messi and Iniesta are still there, obviously.

"There’s a bit of rivalry between the teams, which is a good thing. It makes it more of a spectacle, more interesting.”

Barcelona's last victory against Chelsea was in 2006 and with the current form of the Spanish team, a victory at Stamford Bridge would boost their chances going into the second leg.

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