Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Security guards HOLD BACK fans as Barcelona stars arrive at team hotel for Chelsea clash
BARCELONA were welcomed into rainy London today by a hoard of fans trying to get to their idols.
F.C. Barcelona arrive in London ahead of Chelsea clash
Barcelona face Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 meeting.
The players arrived in London this afternoon and will train today ahead of tomorrow’s 7.45pm kick off.
And they were mobbed by excited fans as they left their coach for the team hotel.
As this video shows, security guards had to hold fans back as the Barca players made their way into the plush Grosvenor Hotel in Mayfair.
It seems as though one man did get through the security, however.
Barcelona news Security guards fans Chelsea hotel
Gary Lineker was snapped alongside Barcelona star Lionel Messi shortly after the team arrived in the capital.
Lineker is a former Barcelona star and regularly meets the side’s top players at awards events that he hosts.
The ex-England striker will be anchoring BT Sport’s coverage of the match tomorrow.
Barcelona took the short flight from Spain to London today and are scheduled to depart the UK immediately after Tuesday’s match.
Speaking ahead of the game, manager Ernesto Valverde was forced to explain why he dropped Philippe Coutinho for Barca’s last outing.
Gary Lineker met Barcelona star Lionel Messi at the hotel
Barcelona players arrive in London ahead of their clash with Chelsea
"I think it was best for my team to try to win," he said.
"Last week Coutinho started, Andres Iniesta didn't, so this week Iniesta started.
"It's true that, on Tuesday, we have another match, but, for me, the most important thing was this match.
"On Tuesday, let's see. I know Coutinho cannot play, but we will do something."
Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?