MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 14:10:03| >> :60:368:368:
[monks data]
Attendance: 37,741
Chelsea logo
Champions League | Round of 16
Feb 20, 2018 at 7.45pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

1-1

Willian (62')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Messi (75')

Gerard Pique urges caution ahead of Chelsea clash

Pique urges caution ahead of Chelsea clash
© Offside
Gerard Pique is concerned that defeat for Barcelona against Chelsea could change the complexion of what has so far been an impressive campaign.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has warned his teammates that they must "be more prudent" if they are to prevent a good season turning into a bad one.

The Catalan giants remain on course for a clean sweep of trophies at home and in Europe after a hugely impressive first campaign at the helm for boss Ernesto Valverde.

With a seven-point lead on Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga and a Copa del Rey final meeting against Sevilla to look forward to in April, all focus is now on overcoming Chelsea in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Pique is wary of the threat the English champions pose, and concedes that defeat over two legs could act as a negative turning point in his side's season.

"Expectations are maximum," he is quoted as saying by Goal.com. "We go out as favourites, with a chance to win. I know the atmosphere is positive, very favourable, everything looks good, but I think we have to be more prudent.

"We have to learn from experience, what has happened in recent years, and know that one bad day could see you knocked out of the Champions League.

"A bad result against Chelsea could turn the good season we are having into one that's not so good. We know we are in a good position in the league and the Copa del Rey and we go to London in the Champions League looking to win, get through and progress in the competition."

Barcelona have faced Chelsea 12 times in the Champions League since 2000, winning three of those games compared to the Blues' four triumphs.

ID:318833: cacheID:318833:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2664:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Generic view inside Torino's Stadio Olimpico
Read Next:
This weekend's biggest games in world football
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool660018
2Barcelona650115
3B. Leverkusen641113
4Inter Milan641113
5Brest641113
6Arsenal641113
7Aston Villa641113
8Lille641113
9Bayern640212
10Dortmund640212
11Atletico640212
12AC Milan640212
13Atalanta632111
14Juventus632111
15Benfica631210
16Feyenoord631210
17Brugge631210
18Monaco631210
19Sporting Lisbon631210
20Real Madrid63039
21Celtic62319
22Man City62228
23PSV62228
24Dinamo Zagreb62228
25PSG62137
26Stuttgart62137
27Shakhtar61144
28Sparta Prague61144
29Sturm Graz61053
30Girona61053
31Red Star61053
32Salzburg61053
33Bologna60242
34RB Leipzig60060
35Slovan Bratislava60060
36Young Boys60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!