25 November 2025
Chelsea and Barcelona have a rich history when they play against each other, providing spectators with thrills and entertainment. In fact, when the two have faced off in the past, it can be argued that it has given the UEFA Champions League some of the best moments in the competition’s history.
Head-to-Head (In All Competitions):
Games: 17
Chelsea Won: 5
Draws: 6
Barcelona Won: 6
| Season | Competition | Matchday | Date | Home | Result | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | UEFA Champions League | Round of 16 2nd Leg | 14/03/2018 | Barcelona | 3-0 | Chelsea |
| 2017/18 | UEFA Champions League | Round of 16 1st Leg | 20/02/2018 | Chelsea | 1-1 | Barcelona |
| 2011/12 | UEFA Champions League | Semi-Finals 2nd Leg | 24/04/2012 | Barcelona | 2-2 | Chelsea |
| 2011/12 | UEFA Champions League | Semi-Finals 1st Leg | 18/04/2012 | Chelsea | 1-0 | Barcelona |
| 2008/09 | UEFA Champions League | Semi-Finals 2nd Leg | 06/05/2009 | Chelsea | 1-1 | Barcelona |
| 2008/09 | UEFA Champions League | Semi-Finals 1st Leg | 28/04/2009 | Barcelona | 0-0 | Chelsea |
| 2006/07 | UEFA Champions League | Group Stage | 31/10/2006 | Barcelona | 2-2 | Chelsea |
| 2006/07 | UEFA Champions League | Group Stage | 18/10/2006 | Chelsea | 1-0 | Barcelona |
| 2005/06 | UEFA Champions League | Round of 16 2nd Leg | 07/03/2006 | Barcelona | 1-1 | Chelsea |
| 2005/06 | UEFA Champions League | Round of 16 1st Leg | 22/02/2006 | Chelsea | 1-2 | Barcelona |
| 2004/05 | UEFA Champions League | Round of 16 2nd Leg | 08/03/2005 | Chelsea | 4-2 | Barcelona |
| 2004/05 | UEFA Champions League | Round of 16 1st Leg | 23/02/2005 | Barcelona | 2-1 | Chelsea |
| 1999/00 | UEFA Champions League | Quarter Finals 2nd Leg | 18/04/2000 | Barcelona | 5-1 (AET) | Chelsea |
| 1999/00 | UEFA Champions League | Quarter Finals 1st Leg | 05/04/2000 | Chelsea | 3-1 | Barcelona |
| 1965/66 | Inter-Cities Fairs Cup | Semi-Finals Decider | 25/05/1966 | Barcelona | 5-0 | Chelsea |
| 1965/66 | Inter-Cities Fairs Cup | Semi-Finals 2nd Leg | 11/05/1966 | Chelsea | 2-0 | Barcelona |
| 1965/66 | Inter-Cities Fairs Cup | Semi-Finals 1st Leg | 27/04/1966 | Barcelona | 2-0 | Chelsea |
Barcelona are Chelsea’s most frequent opponents in European competition, having played the Catalans 17 times. When played at Stamford Bridge, the Blues have won five, whereas Barcelona has only won once back in 2006.
Due to the new UCL format, there will be no reverse fixture at the Camp Nou, so it is all to play for at the Bridge.
As highlighted, when both clubs have faced each other, they have entertained fans fully, notably in two specific ties…
Flashback to the 2008/09 season, Barcelona travelled to Stamford Bridge for the second leg of their semi-final, where Andrés Iniesta’s late goal in additional stoppage time saw the Spanish giants go through to the final on away goals.
But the late goal wasn’t what hit the headlines; instead, it was the controversial referee Tom Henning Øvrebø, who many believe should have given Chelsea at least one of three penalty appeals, which included Barça defender Eric Abidal pulling the shirt of Blues striker Didier Drogba, a blatant handball from Gerard Piqué and another clear handball from Samuel Eto’o.
From this disputed contest, Barcelona went on to win the UCL against the holders at the time, Manchester United, by two goals to nil.
But what goes around comes around, as in the 2011/12 season, the two met in the semi-finals of the UCL again. Chelsea won the first leg 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, and in the reverse fixture at the Camp Nou, spectators witnessed one of the most dramatic games in football history.
In the dying moments of the game, new signing Fernando Torres complacently took the ball around Barça goalkeeper Victor Valdés to secure their spot in the final of the UCL, where they went on to beat Bayern Munich in their own backyard at the Allianz Arena.
Chelsea got ultimate revenge over Barcelona, and to this day, it remains the most historic moment in the club, as the Blues lifted their first-ever UCL trophy in such a breathtaking way.
Tonight, Chelsea fans will be giving the travelling Catalans a chilly reception, as the night in ‘09 is one many Blues will never forget. Expect to see another thrilling contest between two of the most youthful and attacking sides in the world right now.
Last 5 Games (In All Competitions):
Chelsea - W4 D1 L0
Barcelona - W3 D1 L1
| Chelsea | Barcelona |
|---|---|
| 0-2 W vs Burnley (Premier League) | 4-0 W vs Athletic Club (La Liga) |
| 3-0 W vs Wolves (Premier League) | 2-4 W vs Celta Vigo (La Liga) |
| 2-2 D vs Qarabağ FK (UEFA Champions League) | 3-3 D vs Club Brugge (UEFA Champions League) |
| 0-1 W vs Tottenham (Premier League) | 3-1 W vs Elche (La Liga) |
| 3-4 W vs Wolves (EFL Cup) | 2-1 L vs Real Madrid (La Liga) |
Chelsea enter this fixture unbeaten in their last five games, winning four in the Premier League and drawing once to Qarabağ FK in the UCL. Enzo Maresca’s side is getting many plaudits after gaining second place due to a 2-0 win away from home against Burnley, and Manchester City failing to beat Newcastle at St. James’ Park.
Interestingly, Robert Sánchez has picked up three clean sheets in these previous five games, picking up six clean sheets in all competitions so far, but don’t be deceived by that statistic, because Chelsea’s defence has been criticised thoroughly throughout the course of this season by pundits and fans.
In the defence of Chelsea’s backline, they have only conceded 11 goals in 12 games in the PL this season, which places them joint fourth best with Sunderland for average goals conceded per match.
Going forward, Maresca’s side has been scoring plenty of goals, with 23 in the PL and nine in the UCL. This is very impressive, especially without their main attacking outlet, Cole Palmer and new summer signing Liam Delap; the Blues have most certainly proved all doubters wrong.
In the UCL, Chelsea lost to Bayern Munich in their opening fixture, narrowly beat Benfica on José Mourinho’s return to the Bridge, thrashed 10-man Ajax and in their most recent game, drew 2-2 to the Azerbaijani side Qarabağ FK.
Barcelona’s story is fairly similar to Chelsea’s overall. Like the Blues, Barça sit in second place in La Liga, one point off leaders Real Madrid, as the gap closed after the Catalans dismantled Athletic Club at the Camp Nou and Los Blancos dropped points to Elche on the weekend.
Hansi Flick’s side winning 4-0 takes their goal tally up to 36 in La Liga, and they have scored 12 in the UCL, accumulating a total of 48 goals, just shy of 50, and the season isn’t at the halfway point yet.
However, Flick’s high line has been exposed more this season, especially in the UCL, as they have conceded seven goals in four games, which is very poor by their standards.
In the UCL alone, Barcelona beat Newcastle at St. James’ Park thanks to a Marcus Rashford brace, lost 2-1 to current holders Paris Saint-Germain, thrashed Olympiakos 6-1 and drew with Belgian side Club Brugge in a goalfest.
Therefore, Barça has the same record as Chelsea in the UCL, which puts them close together in the league table of 11th and 12th, with the Catalans sitting higher because of goal difference.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): R.Sánchez, M.Gusto, T.Adarabioyo, T.Chalobah, M.Cucurella, R.James, M.Caicedo, P.Neto, J.Pedro, A.Garnacho, L.Delap
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): J.García, J.Koundé, R.Araújo, P.Cubarsí, G.Martín, F.López, F.de Jong, L.Yamal, D.Olmo, M.Rashford, R.Lewankdowski
Chelsea could start without Enzo Fernández as a tactical approach by Maresca, who could opt for Reece James in midfield to allow for more freedom in attack and solidify the defence in the middle of the park.
Not too much change is predicted from the eleven that started against Burnley at Turf Moor on the weekend, but due to James going into midfield, the right-back spot is open for Malo Gusto. Additionally, Moisés Caicedo will most likely be brought back into the side after being rested on Saturday, along with Alejandro Garnacho.
Maybe one of the key surprises in Chelsea’s potential lineup is the exclusion of Brazilian star, Estêvāo, as Maresca could opt for Pedro Neto due to the Portuguese winger’s pace to counter Flick’s high defensive line with runs in-behind.
Cole Palmer is expected to remain sidelined; however, there were sights of the young star in training after reports came out that he broke his toe after stubbing it against a door in his home. Add that to the list of strange injuries.
French defensive pair Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile are expected to make the bench, but don’t be surprised to see one of them start against Barcelona tonight, as Badiashile came on just after the break against Burnley, whilst Fofana was rested.
As for Barcelona, not too much change is predicted, as, like Chelsea, Flick could start the majority of the same players who featured in their victory against Athletic Club.
Gerard Martín started at left centre-back on Saturday, but after Alejandro Balde was brought off against Bilbao as a precaution following a head injury, Ronald Araújo came on, and Martín moved to his natural left-back position. This is how the backline could look tonight with Koundé and Cubarsí retaining their spots.
Frenkie de Jong should be reintegrated into the starting eleven after being suspended due to the red card he obtained against Celta Vigo, which could see Eric García get dropped.
Finally, despite the impressive player of the match performance from Ferran Torres against Bilbao, Marcus Rashford could replace the Spaniard for rotation and experience, as the English winger has a good record against the Blues, scoring six and producing five assists.
With very little separating the two sides, it should be a very close match as both sides share similar attributes. Therefore, a four-goal draw thriller could be on the cards, but in what should be an exciting and attacking game of football, surprises can sometimes occur. It is both clubs’ game tonight.
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