Valverde throws a cheeky jibe at Real Madrid about an El Classico Champions League last eight fixture

macfranc007 March 08, 2018 IFTTT, Latest Sport News | Today on Naija.ng Akan Anwankwo

- Ernesto Valverde says he is more concerned about the match against Chelsea

- Barcelona will qualify if they defeat Chelsea at Nou Camp next week

- The Catalan giants are eight points on top of La Liga and 15 points ahead of Real

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has thrown a cheeky jibe at Real Madrid saying that he is more worried about playing Chelsea in the Champions League than a last eight meeting with their rivals.

Valverde has claimed he is more worried about facing Chelsea than Zinedine Zidane's side later in the tournament.

"In the first leg PSG were good, but Real Madrid managed to win it at the end with two amazing goals.

"On Tuesday it was Real Madrid being Real Madrid, as always.

"They are always usually fine in this kind of scenario.

"But they aren't the rival for us to beat.

"Our rival is Chelsea, who we play against on Wednesday," Valverde said.

The Catalan side won the Supercopa de Catalunya against Espanyol on Wednesday, March 7, without star players Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the line up.

PAY ATTENTION: Like our Facebook sports page to stay in touch with latest sports news

Valverde admitted he deliberately rested his top stars against their Catalan rival for the crucial match against Chelsea at Nou Camp next week.

Antonio Conte's men will travel to the Nou Camp having drawn 1-1 in the first-leg at Stamford Bridge and will need to score a goal if they want to satnd a chance to make it through to the next stage.

Messi broke his goal scoring jinx against the Stamford Bridge outfit when he scored in the game to give the Spanish league leaders a slender advantage.

Barcelona are top of La Liga, eight points ahead of Atletico Madrid after defeating Diego Simeone's side at the Nou Camp courtesy of a Messi's stunning free kick.

Real, on the other hand, are languishing in third, with a massive 15 points behind their arch-rivals as the title race for Los Blancos is technically over.

The Champions League is the only trophy Zidane's side will be aiming to win this season as side from the Spanish capital have also crashed out of the Copa del Rey.

Smartphone giveaway winner announcement - on NAIJ.com TV