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Liverpool returns to Champions League action this midweek, hosting PSV, and it is not the only English club playing a big game in Europe.
Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Newcastle all have big matches too. Chelsea is first up, taking on Barcelona. Elsewhere in UEFA's top competition, Arsenal will play Bayern Munich, Manchester City faces Bayer Leverkusen at home, and Newcastle travels to Marseille.
"They are an unbelievable team, but we are going to do our best to win the game," Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said in his pre-match press conference. "Their high line is a factor for sure, but we need to pay attention off the ball because they are a team that creates a lot of good chances and always score goals.
"We will need the right balance between attacking and defending. We are going to defend as always: like a team and by being aggressive.
"They have so many good players — it’s (Robert) Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, it’s Fermin (Lopez), it’s Ferran (Torres), Frenkie de Jong — but at the same time we have good players and we will try to win the game."
How can I watch Chelsea vs Barcelona?
Chelsea has played Barcelona more than any other opponent in Europe, and fans in the United Kingdom will need to log into Amazon Prime Video to watch it, where the match will be streamed live. In the United States, it is set to be shown on CBS and Paramount+.
The game will kick off at 8pm local time, which is 3pm ET and 12pm PT.
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Maresca will be without Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, and Dario Luis Essugo through various injuries. Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended.
Barcelona will have to cope without Pedri (hamstring), Gavi (knee), and Marc-Andre ter Stegen (back). Hansi Flick still has several big names available, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal primed to start.
Chelsea has already lost a big Champions League game this season, getting beaten by Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich. "We are a better team compared to the day we played Bayern away, but every game is different," Maresca said.
"Barcelona will be different in how they attack and defend, so it will be completely different. But, for me, the team is getting better day after day."
"It is a very special game for my family and me," left-back Marc Cucurella added. "I think I played against them a lot of years ago, so now we have the opportunity to play in the Champions League, on a special night.
"I think now I'm at a good level; I have good confidence. We have a really good team, so this helped me as well.
"I don't think about what could have happened, because maybe if I had stayed at Barcelona, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to win the trophies I have won with Chelsea."
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