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Chelsea vs Barcelona confirmed team news: Conte makes bold Hazard decision, Messi starts
ANTONIO CONTE has named Eden Hazard as his lone striker for Chelsea against Barcelona.
Chelsea v Barcelona: Champions League match preview
Despite having strikers Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud available, Conte has chosen to play Hazard in attack with Pedro and Willian in support.
Cesc Fabregas starts in central midfield against his former side but there is no place for Ross Barkley in the squad with youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi getting a place on the Chelsea bench.
Barcelona are without Philippe Coutinho, who is ineligible for the Champions League after playing in the competition for Liverpool.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will lead the Barcelona line with Paulinho in support.
The familiar trio of Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets all start in midfield.
Chelsea vs Barcelona
Team to face Barcelona: Courtois; Azpilicueta (c), Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Hazard, Pedro.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 20, 2018
Subs: Caballero, Cahill, Zappacosta, Drinkwater, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud, Morata. #CHEBAR pic.twitter.com/lzHoGYN626
⚽️ Starting XI
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 20, 2018
������������ #ChelseaBarça pic.twitter.com/XaBBne5N3s
Chelsea: Courtois; Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Moses, Fabregas, Kante, Alonso, Willian, Hazard, Pedro
Subs: Caballero, Drinkwater, Morata, Giroud, Zappacosta, Cahill, Hudson-Odoi
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Jordi Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Paulinho; Luis Suarez, Messi
Subs: Cillessen, Denis Suarez, O. Dembele, Digne, Gomes, Aleix Vidal, Vermaelen
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