Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has claimed that the team need to embrace the "pressure" rather than crumble when they face Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The reigning Premier League title holders are underdogs heading into the first leg of their last-16 tie at Stamford Bridge.

There is an element of pressure on Conte's team, though, as Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool all performed well in their opening knockout matches.

"I think I don't know how many times I answered about the pressure, but football is this and you have to live with this," Conte told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

"A team like Chelsea must have the right pressure. If you try to win with only one idea, it must be this. You have to live with the pressure, it must be your friend, not enemy."

The Blues head into the contest following back-to-back wins in all competitions.

Written by
Danielle Joynson