Willian expects Chelsea to do the 'same job' against Barcelona after first-leg draw
Antonio Conte’s side must score at Camp Nou having drawn the earlier match 1-1 after the Brazilian’s opening strike, but Willian also says he feels confident and ready for more
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Your support makes all the difference.Willian says he expects Chelsea to do the “same job” against Barcelona on Wednesday as they did in the first-leg tie, and that the English champions will have to offer the “perfect game”.
Antonio Conte’s side must score at Camp Nou having drawn the earlier match 1-1 after the Brazilian’s opening strike, but Willian also says he feels confident and ready for more. There remains the possibility that Willian will be Chelsea’s main attacking outlet again, running into the space left by Eden Hazard, if Conte plays a false-nine.
“We come here to do exactly the same job that we did at Stamford Bridge,” Willian said. “We know Barcelona always have more possession. They like to have the ball and they like to play. But, like I said, with the ball we have to be more clinical. Without the ball, we have to stay compact like we did at Stamford Bridge. We all have to do the same job. We know here the pitch is big, and we have to stay together to make sure we don't concede goals, but to go for the counter-attacks as well.
“Of course, I'm happy with my form at the moment. I'm happy with the goals that I've scored, but I want more. For the team, as well. We come here respecting Barcelona: they are great and have great players, a big club like Chelsea are a big club. Tomorrow we want to do our job, the perfect job, to go through to the next round. That's what we want.”
Conte meanwhile emphasised how his side need to concentrate on every moment, after one slip in the first leg let Leo Messi in for the goal that tilts the tie.
“Yes, I think the first leg, in the first game, we played a really good game and almost a perfect game,” the Italian said. “Also because when you play against Barcelona, against a team I consider one of the best in the world, if you want to have a hope to win the game you have to play a perfect game. In the first leg we did this. When we made a mistake, we paid a lot for this mistake.
“For sure, the final result of the first leg gave a great advantage to Barcelona. But, at the same time, we know very well the philosophy of Barcelona. For sure they want to play their football tomorrow, to score and to win the game. We have to try to do our best. We must start the game with great concentration, to stay with our heads on the pitch in every moment of the game, to know there are moments where we have to suffer – not only Chelsea, but every team who play Barcelona must be prepared to suffer, to be compact.”
Conte meanwhile confirmed there are no injuries or absences, and that Antonio Rudiger can play. “Rudiger is in contention for tomorrow's game. No (other) news. No one ruled out.”
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