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Alvaro Morata has a great chance in Barcelona on Wednesday night to put his recent struggles behind him and be lauded by Chelsea fans forever, writes Frank Lampard.
Morata has been going through a difficult time, but he just needs to look at Fernando Torres for inspiration to do something special at Camp Nou.
Six years ago, Torres raced clear against Barcelona to score with a few minutes to go and guarantee Chelsea’s place in the Champions League Final.
It is for big occasions like this that Chelsea bought Morata from Real Madrid for £58m last summer in the first place.
There is obviously a question over whether coach Antonio Conte will play with a striker or revert back to the ‘false nine’ he used in the first leg.
I would certainly consider picking Morata to lead the line with Eden Hazard and Willian behind.
The striker has to play better than he has done in recent weeks. He needs to be physically stronger and hold the ball up more. He has the physical attributes and technical ability to do this.
But what Morata can also provide is a target for Chelsea players to aim at and someone who can run in behind. He can do that job more naturally than Hazard, who without the responsibility of playing up front can get more involved in the game himself.
What Fernando did in 2012 shows what a recognised striker can give you against Barcelona.
There is that opportunity to play balls over the top to get out.
Make no mistake, Barcelona will dominate possession and squeeze Chelsea high up the pitch.
As a player walking into Camp Nou, you respect the place straight away because of the size of it and the history of the club.
It is very evident from the moment you roll up what you’re going into. The stadium is huge - you feel it dwarfs you.
You feel it mentally and physically. It is a case of how you react and stand up to that unnerving sensation.
I think it is the ultimate challenge. Real Madrid have addressed that balance in the last few seasons by winning the trophy three times, but I certainly found playing against Barcelona the biggest hurdle in my career.
Even with Real Madrid you can get possession, as we saw with Tottenham in the group stage this season.
But Barcelona starve you of the ball so you have to keep concentrating for 90 minutes. The one moment you switch off, they play a ball between the lines and they’re in.
The wing backs for Chelsea are crucial. They can be a great weapon, as long as they get forward. But if they sit back to make it a five man defence throughout, it will invite Barcelona on.
Chelsea have to also make sure they get Hazard and Willian plenty of touches too, to let Barcelona know they have something to worry about defensively.
The key for Chelsea will be when they get the ball back and how quickly they can get it into those two.
The duo can unlock Barcelona by skipping past somebody. Barcelona do give you opportunities on the break because they play so high. If Hazard and Willian can slip past the press, that will open up the pitch.
All the focus ahead of the second leg is on Chelsea, but Barcelona didn’t get the perfect result by getting a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge either. If Chelsea do get a few opportunities, then the Spanish side could still go out.
Keeping Barcelona goalless for as long as possible is obviously a necessity for Chelsea. At 0-0, the players will know that a chance could come at any moment to score and go through.
There will be pressure on the home side and Barcelona don’t know any other way but playing in an attacking style.
They won’t suffocate the game to simply progress on the away goals rule. The atmosphere will change in the stadium the longer it stays at 0-0.
Chelsea need Thibaut Courtois to have a great night too. He is in that bracket of best keepers in the world and Chelsea won’t go through unless he has a good game.
He will have to keep Chelsea in it at times. It’s up to him.
Petr Cech had many big moments six years ago - that’s why he is a hero to Chelsea fans. Courtois can, and must, do the same.
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