Barcelona Coach Ernesto Valverde has downplayed Lionel Messi’s goalless record against Chelsea as ‘that was in the past’.
The Argentine has failed to score in eight appearances against the London club – his longest goalless streak against any club side.
“Those facts do not count for anything now as that was in the past so it is irrelevant,” Valverde told his pre-match press conference.
“This is an important game for Barcelona, for Messi, for me…for everyone, and Leo’s lack of luck against this opponent in the past is just that.
“We must aim to score more goals away from home in Europe, we have struggled a little bit for creativity in that regard this season so we must work on that.
“We are playing against a strong rival, a physical side who defend and counter-attack strongly, but we will have a plan to win.”
