Enzo Maresca’s side has just blown the visitors out of the water. The Blues knew that this was a must-win game for them due to already dropping points against Bayern Munich and Qarabag, respectively, earlier on in the tournament.
The hosts started the match off like a bat out of hell. Defensively, they were organised, compact and disciplined. Hansi Flick’s side had 5 shots throughout the entirety of the game, with only 2 of those being on target.
The Culers also had 0.80 expected goals, which speaks volumes about how Chelsea defended off the ball. Every player worked their socks off and did a remarkable job to stop one of the deadliest attacks in Europe from creating chances.
A Jules Kounde own goal, Estevao's wonder goal, and Liam Delap scoring his first Champions League goal since joining the Blues during the summer were more than enough to ensure that Chelsea picked up all three points.
Robert Sanchez-7
The Spanish international was not put under the cosh, like plenty of football experts expected coming into the game. It is fair to say, that he was not tested.
However, when Barcelona put crosses into the box or tried to put Sanchez under any pressure, he was always up to the task. In fact, a key moment of the match was when he sprinted out from his box to stop Fermin Lopez getting on the end of a through ball.
It is not an easy feat for a goalkeeper to keep their concentration when they do not have much to do. However, the 27-year-old was focused throughout the match and did not make any mistakes.
His distribution was also top-notch. There were plenty of occasions when he beat Barcelona’s high press by breaking the lines. This was a professional performance by Chelsea’s number one goalkeeper.
Malo Gusto-7
Gusto’s role was to press Alejandro Balde high up the pitch and help out Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the park. The former Lyon right back executed his role to a tee.
He won 6 duels, made 3 vital tackles and was always in the right position to intercept the ball.
The Frenchman also overlapped and supported Estevao going forward. This was one of his best performances so far this season.
Wesley Fofana-7
The former Leicester defender was the one who sat back. Fofana’s pace allowed Trevoh Chalobah to push slightly further up the pitch in order to try and get the ball off Robert Lewandowski near the halfway line.
There were multiple occasions when the Frenchman used his pace and agility to stop Ferran Torres getting in behind the hosts' defence. Fofana was also comfortable in possession, and Barcelona’s high press did not get the better of him.
The defender also made his presence felt from corners as well as set pieces, and was always a threat.
Trevoh Chalobah-7
Out of the two centre-backs backs it was Chalobah’s job to make the first contact on the legendary striker. He was physical, aggressive and regularly won the ball near the halfway line.
When Barcelona tried to put him under pressure inside his own penalty area, he stood up to the task.
The standout moment from his performance was when Fermin Lopez was free inside Chelsea’s box and the centre back used his awareness to stop him from pulling the trigger. The defender also made some brilliant tackles on Chelsea’s left-hand side to stop some Barcelona attacks.
Marc Cucurella-9
This was a flawless performance from the Spaniard. The left back made his presence felt from the first whistle until the last. Firstly, he was up against Lamine Yamal who is one of the best wingers in the world. Throughout the game, the 27-year-old won 4 tackles, had 2 clearances, won 8 duels and had 4 ball recoveries.
Defensively, he was a rock throughout the game, and Yamal struggled to dribble past Chelsea’s left back once.
On top of this, his duty was to also overlap and support Alejandro Garnacho on the Blues’ left-hand side.
The former Brighton defender was always a threat going forward, and he was the person who got fouled when Ronald Araujo got sent off for a second yellow.
Reece James- 7
Chelsea’s captain led by example. He had great cohesion and chemistry with Malo Gusto. There were periods of the game where he and Gusto switched positions.
The right back was a rock defensively, he won the majority of his 1 v1 duels, broke the lines and marshalled the defence.
On the ball, the England International broke the lines, opened up space for his teammates, particularly on Chelsea’s right-hand side, and his positional awareness was superb.
Moises Caicedo-8
The Ecuadorian International was magnificent in all phases of the game. The heart of Barcelona’s team is their midfield. Caicedo was an integral part in helping Chelsea dominate the midfield battle.
The 24-year-old consistently made himself available to receive the ball and found a lot of space to drive the hosts up the pitch.
He won the majority of first and second balls, stopped at least two Barcelona attacks by winning the ball back and was a machine in the middle of the park.
Enzo Fernandez- 8
Out of all the midfielders, the 24-year-old was tasked with being the furthest one up the pitch. Fernandez was the creative hub of the team.
He created so many chances from the edge of Barcelona’s box, consistently found himself in forward areas and was a threat in the final third.
He also assisted Delap’s goal by timing his run and playing a perfectly timed pass inside the box.
On top of this off the ball, the midfielder was getting stuck in, he won free kicks for his side and closed down all the spaces for the Barcelona midfielders.
Alejandro Garnacho-7
What stood out about Garnacho’s performance was how much work he put in to stop Yamal and he did everything in his power to help out Cucurella defensively.
The winger has been previously criticised for not doing enough work on the ball. However, in the game against Barcelona, that certainly wasn’t the case.
The former United player found himself in a lot of space in the final third. However, he did not make the most of his one-on-one opportunities against Jules Kounde and his decision-making could have been better in certain situations. Although all in all this was a positive performance from Garnacho.
Pedro Neto- 7
Neto was used in the false 9 role because he has the pace and movement to get in behind the opponent's high line. Throughout the game, it was crystal clear that Neto was causing Barcelona so many issues.
In fact, early on in the first half, the forward had a 1 v 1 chance against Joan Garcia but his shot went over the bar.
The former Wolves player led the press supremely well. He caused Garcia to kick the ball out of play or boot it up the pitch due to his relentless pressing. Neto was also involved to the build-up in Chelsea’s first goal.
Estevao-8
The moment was not too big for the 18-year-old. Every time Estevao got the ball, he always looked to take on Balde, and he was direct. The winger was also unpredictable because instead of just cutting inside and shooting, he went outside just like he did for his goal.
The right winger got people off his seat and never gave the Barcelona players any time to breathe. His work ethic and attitude to track back and stop Balde from getting forward were sublime. His finishing for Chelsea’s second goal shows just how technical the player is.
Substitutions
Andrey Santos-7
There was not a drop off in quality after Gusto went off, and when Santos came on. The midfielder was winning the majority of his duels, he was sitting back alongside Caicedo, which still allowed Enzo to join the attack, just like he did in the first half as well.
Santos played with a high sense of urgency and intensity. That was confirmed after he won the ball back high up in Barcelona’s half and set up Estevao for the home side's second goal.
Liam Delap-7
The English International brought something different to the table. Unlike Neto, Delap was holding up the ball, bringing his teammates into play and holding off the two Culers centre-backs.
The cherry on the cake for the 22-year-old is that he scored his first goal in a competitive game since joining the club.
This was one of his best performances in a Chelsea shirt thus far, and the striker took a step in the right direction.
Jamie Gittens- N/A
Came on in the 76th minute, and he did not have enough time to make an impact.
Tyrique George N/A
Came on in the 82nd minute and wasn’t on the pitch for long enough in order to give him a grade.
Josh Acheampong N/A
Just like George, he came on in the 82nd minute and did not play long enough in order to give him a grade.