Champions League Matches This Evening: Chelsea v Barcelona & More

Welcome to a fresh evening of electrifying Champions League football. Nine fixtures are scheduled for this evening, with three British teams in play. The Blues meet Barcelona in the key fixture of the evening, whilst Newcastle visit Marseille and City welcome Bayer Leverkusen.

League Table

We're at the midway stage of the league stage, meaning the rankings is taking form. Each of the six British clubs are currently in the top 12, however there are only two points between fifth and 16th place, so there's a hint of uncertainty about the whole thing. Everything is to play for.

Tonight’s Fixtures

These are this evening's games, each starting at 8pm unless stated:

  • Benfica lead Ajax 1-0 (17:45)
  • Galatasaray 0-0 Union SG (17:45)
  • Juventus face Bodo/Glimt
  • Barcelona take on Chelsea
  • Dortmund v Villarreal
  • Man City v Leverkusen
  • Newcastle travel to Marseille
  • Napoli v Qarabag
  • Athletic Bilbao clash with Slavia Prague

Lineup Changes

Wesley Fofana, Moises Caicedo, Alejandro Garnacho, Gusto and Estevao are included in the Chelsea team. Out go Adarabioyo, Santos, Jamie Gittens, Pedro and Delap.

Yamal starts for Barça; Rashford is on the bench.

Chelsea (probable four-three-three) Sanchez; Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Cucurella; Malo Gusto, Caicedo, Enzo; Estevao, Neto, Alejandro Garnacho.

Substitutes: Kjell Scherpen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Liam Delap, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Santos, Joao Pedro, Jorrel Hato, Leo George, Acheampong, Marc Guiu, Facundo Buonanotte.

Barça (probable four-two-three-one): Joan Garcia; Jules Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde; Eric Garcia, Frenkie de Jong; Yamal, Lopez, Torres; Robert Lewandowski.

Substitutes: Wojciech Szczesny, Diego Kochen, Raphinha, Rashford, Andreas Christensen, Casado, Gerard, Olmo, Bernal, Dario Fernandez, Roony Bardghji.

Official Slavko Vincic (Slovenian).

Historical Context

The only previous meeting involving Marseille and Newcastle was the Uefa Cup semifinal of 2003-04, won by an emerging superstar from Ivory Coast. Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester City have never met before. Barcelona and Chelsea have a notable history.

Initial Game Reports

Only a single goal in the first half of the two early games. Dahl's 6th-minute goal has given Jose Mourinho’s Benfica a one-nil advantage at Ajax.

Newcastle’s Trip to Marseille

Even though The Magpies arrived in the French south fresh from their restorative 2-1 home English top-flight win against Manchester City on Saturday, and having beaten Union SG, Benfica and Bilbao in the Champions League, their sole on the road win since the start of April came in the Belgian capital at Union Saint-Gilloise.

It's not that Eddie Howe was overly keen to talk about the mental side of this away form issue. “The European Cup is distinct from Premier League games,” said the coach, whose side are 6th in the European table, with 9 pts from a available 12 and automatic qualification to the knockout phase nearly secured. “I am not sure if you can draw parallels between them.”

We have a separate live blog for Barcelona vs Chelsea. Scott Murray, the MBM equivalent of Maradona is on duty for that.
Andrew Smith
Andrew Smith

A certified fitness trainer and nature enthusiast, passionate about helping others achieve wellness through outdoor adventures.