CHELSEA players reportedly expect Barcelona star Lionel Messi to score against them in the Champions League tonight.
Barcelona and Messi go into tonight’s Champions League clash with Chelsea aiming to keep their treble hopes alive.
The Catalan giants are out for revenge having seen their European dreams dashed back in 2012.
Messi is yet to score against Chelsea from eight outings with the Barcelona star’s troubles against the Blues well-documented.
But Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo say Chelsea players expect the Argentina international to end his goal drought tonight.
The Blues have returned to winning ways recently with key victories over West Brom and Hull in the Premier League and FA Cup respectively.
They have come at a time where Conte’s head was about to roll.
Express Sport understands the Italian is clinging to his job with Roman Abramovich ready to axe him at the end of the season.
With Barcelona coming up, and matches against Manchester United and Manchester City on the horizon, Chelsea have decided to bide their time.
But Mundo Deportivo say Conte has lost the support of his playing staff.
And the Chelsea squad are said to privately feel that the 48-year-old is powerless to prevent Messi from firing Barcelona to victory.
Meanwhile, speaking ahead of tonight’s showdown, Chelsea fans have been warned not to taunt Messi over his Blues goal drought.
“He has not scored in the last five though and of course he hasn’t scored in any of the eight games that he’s played against Chelsea,” La Liga expert Guillem Balague told Sky Sports.
“He’s also not scored in eight games against Thibaut Courtois.
“If you’d rather Messi played as a Chelsea fan because of those stats I’d suggest that wouldn’t be a good idea.
“It’s never a good idea to provoke him because he is ready for Chelsea and the Champions League, and ready to make the impact we’ve already seen from him over the years.”
Source:www.express.co.uk