The Chelsea fans here in the Transfer Tavern got the draw that most wanted to avoid until later on in the competition.
The news broke around the Tavern and filtered through to our punters that the heated rivalry of Chelsea and Barcelona is set to be renewed in 2018. There were some big names in the pot for Chelsea to face, and after coming up short in the final group stage match against Atletico Madrid, they had to settle for a runners-up spot in the draw.
Chelsea face a tough few week over the two legs against Barcelona, coming up against Man City and Man United either side of the first leg, in a period that will test the Blues’ squad to the full. Our landlord bets Antonio Conte would have welcomed a lesser draw to ease the congestion and pressure on his squad at such a crucial time of the season.
Many of our regulars remember the clashes between the two sides over the past few years, and this one is set to ignite the flames once again, our chief barman checks out the Twitter reaction to the draw for the Blues…
https://twitter.com/nikhil_spurs/status/940224185389015040
Bring on Barcelona! Fancy a trip abroad in the New Year #cfc
— Ben Carter (@Bentnar20) December 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/MaafRahman/status/940214767628750848
If we score Barcelona and go trophy less I'm so cool with our season. #CFC
— #BabyGirl Out Now (@EyesKlose) December 11, 2017
Can't wait to see Drinkwater boss the midfield against Barcelona and run circles around Iniesta and Paulinho#UCLdraw #CFC
— Hazardista! (@hazardista11) December 11, 2017
I think we are set up to advance in the Champions League this year and I see no reason why we cannot beat Barcelona. Every confidence! #CFC
— Dave Walton-Gould ⭐️⭐️ (@davewg59) December 11, 2017
Chelsea vs Barcelona sees a humdinger of a rivalry reignited. Never a boring fixture. Only G Cahill & David Luiz remain for #cfc from their last encounter back in 2012. Only Cahill played mind (being forced off through injury after 15 mins), as Luiz missed out through injury too.
— Harry Brent (@HarryBrent) December 11, 2017
