---
title: "Chelsea player ratings: Barcelona (H)"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2018/02/21/chelsea-player-ratings-barcelona-h/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sam Tabuteau"
section: "Chelsea Match Previews & Reports"
published: "2018-02-21T09:59:02Z"
modified: "2018-02-21T09:59:02Z"
---

# Chelsea player ratings: Barcelona (H)

Lionel Messi’s first goal against Chelsea has given Barcelona the edge heading to the Nou Camp, as they held the Blues to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in the first-leg of their Champions League Last 16 tie.

Barcelona dominated in terms of possession but struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities and despite having just 29% possession in the first-half, Chelsea definitely came closest to opening the scoring with Willian, in particular, coming closest – hitting the post twice with two superb long-range strikes.

The second-half started in similar fashion but soon Chelsea began to see more of the ball, and a short corner routine picked out Willian on the edge of the box. He shaped to shoot and curled a tremendous shot right into the corner.

Barcelona were handed a lifeline when Andreas Christensen, typically so composed on the ball, passed a wayward ball across the box and it was intercepted by Andreas Iniesta. The Spanish midfielder then picked out the onrushing Lionel Messi who just stroked the ball past Thibaut Courtois from inside the area.

Chelsea now have to score at the Nom Camp to have any chance of reaching the Quarter Finals of the Champions League.

Here’s how we rated the Chelsea players on the night: