Sports
RISK TAKER! Conte drops strikers Morato and Giroud to the bench for Chelsea, Barcelona Champions League clash
Eden Hazard is expected to operate in an unusual centre-forward role after Chelsea boss Antonio Conte left Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata on the bench for Tuesday’s Champions League last 16, first leg against Barcelona.
Giroud has made just two starts since joining from Arsenal on transfer deadline day last month, but opened his Chelsea account against Hull City in the FA Cup on Friday.
Morata, meanwhile, has made just two substitute appearances after a month out with a back injury.
Hazard will be flanked by former Barca winger Pedro Rodriguez and Willian, who scored twice against Hull.
Conte also left club captain Gary Cahill on the bench with Cesar Azpilicueta (capt), Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger starting in a back three.
Paulinho beat Andre Gomes to a place in the Barca midfield in the only doubt over Ernesto Valverde’s starting line-up.
The prolific partnership of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, who have 47 goals between them this season, start up front for the visitors.
However, Messi is looking for just his second win and first goal against Chelsea in his ninth outing against the Blues.
AFP
-
News17 hours ago
Unknown gunmen kidnap four in Abuja community
-
Politics14 hours ago
May Day: Edo LP guber candidate Akpata vows to prioritize welfare
-
News17 hours ago
Adeleke boasts of loan-free tenure 16 months into Osun administration
-
News14 hours ago
19 dead as highway collapse in Guandong, China
-
Metro16 hours ago
FG offers free train rides on Port Harcourt-Aba railway
-
News14 hours ago
Nigerian-trained general appointed Liberia’s top security chief
-
Entertainment12 hours ago
Nigerian lady attempts GWR for longest time spent painting nails
-
News16 hours ago
May Day: Akpabio assures workers of improved welfare