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Olivier Giroud starts as Chelsea chase Camp Nou upset, Andres Iniesta fit for Barca

Eurosport
ByEurosport

Updated 14/03/2018 at 19:17 GMT

Chelsea have handed Olivier Giroud a start as they attempt to upset the odds against Barcelona in the Champions League last-16 second leg.

Olivier Giroud (FC Chelsea)

Image credit: Getty Images

Barcelona are firm favourites to advance having secured a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Stamford Bridge last month, but manager Antonio Conte will hope Giroud's presence up front can boost their hopes of an away goal.
Andres Iniesta has recovered from a hamstring strain and joins Ousmane Dembélé in Barcelona's starting line-up.
"We know here the pitch is big and we have to stay together and try as hard as we can not to concede goals and to go for the counter-attack as well," said Chelsea forward Willian, who has scored five times in the last five matches in all competitions.
With Spanish striker Alvaro Morata struggling for form and fitness in the second half of the campaign, Chelsea have turned to Giroud to provide the main threat in front of goal.
Chelsea held Barcelona to a 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp in 2012, eliminating the Champions League holders 3-2 on aggregate to clinch a place in the final. They went on to beat Bayern Munich on penalties for the title.

TEAMS

Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba, Dembele, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, Suarez..subs: Cillessen, Paulinho, Paco Alcacer, Digne, Andre Gomes, Aleix Vidal, Vermaelen
Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso, Hazard, Willian, Giroud...subs: Caballero, Cahill, Zappacosta, Emerson, Bakayoko, Pedro, Morata.
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