- Chelsea and Barcelona were drawn against each other in the Champions League
- Barca boss Ernesto Valverde admitted his side face a tough test in the last 16
- Valverde cited Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard as Chelsea’s danger men
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has pinpointed former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata as one of the main threats Chelsea pose to his side in the Champions League.
Monday’s last 16 draw pitted the Catalan side against the team they lost to in the 2011-2012 semi-finals, with Chelsea going on to win the tournament that year.
Valverde, whose club have won five European Cups, acknowledged the difficulty of facing the English champions.
Striker Alvaro Morata (left) and No 10 Eden Hazard have been cited as Chelsea’s dangermen
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde name-checked the pair after the Champions League draw
‘It’s a tough draw for us because of the magnitude of the opposition,’ he said.
‘Chelsea are champions of the Premier League but we’re excited about the tie, even though it will be difficult.
‘Chelsea are a strong and physical team, with a clear tactical system in place. They take advantage of the physical nature of the Premier League well.
‘With the signing of Morata they’ve added pace in attack, while (Eden) Hazard is very good between the lines.’
Morata has already scored against one Spanish team, Atletico Madrid, in Europe this season
Chelsea and Barca will meet in February after being paired in Monday’s last 16 draw in Nyon
