The UEFA Champions League makes its return to London with an exciting clash on Tuesday, November 25, as Chelsea takes on FC Barcelona at Stamford Bridge in the fifth matchday of the tournament.
Both European giants find themselves in an identical position in the overall standings, ranked 11th and 12th respectively. This precarious positioning leaves them with little room for error as they aim for direct qualification.
Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, faces a significant challenge this week, as he will be without his star player due to an unfortunate incident. The club’s injury concerns have mounted, particularly affecting key areas of the squad. Notably, Cole Palmer will not be available for this crucial match or the subsequent fixture against Arsenal. Palmer was on the verge of returning after a two-month absence due to a groin injury when an unexpected home accident led to a fractured pinky toe.
Additionally, Romeo Lavia has succumbed to another injury, suffering a quadricep problem during the recent draw against Qarabag, sidelining him until at least December. Levi Colwill is facing a long-term absence due to a severe knee injury that will see him miss the remainder of the season, while Dario Essugo continues his recovery from thigh surgery, not expected back until January 2026.
On a brighter note for Chelsea, captain Reece James raised some concerns after being substituted at halftime during the match against Burnley. However, Maresca clarified that the change was planned to manage his workload, and James is in solid condition, likely to start against Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Barcelona arrives in London with mixed news. While the Catalan side welcomes back a key forward, they will be cautious as they manage the absence of one of their creative midfielders. Pedri remains out due to a hamstring injury he sustained during El Clásico. Although his recovery is progressing well, the coaching staff has opted not to risk him, with an expected return on December 2 against Atlético Madrid.
Marcus Rashford, who missed the last league match due to illness and personal matters, has returned to training and is likely to receive medical clearance to travel. Still, his starting position may be uncertain given the strong performances of Ferran Torres and Raphinha. Additionally, Frenkie de Jong is fully fit and ready to contribute after serving a suspension in La Liga, alongside Lamine Yamal and goalkeeper Joan García, who emerged unscathed from the previous match against Athletic Club.
On the disciplinary side, both teams have no players suspended for this European encounter, allowing them to field their strongest available lineups.
As anticipation builds for this thrilling matchup, both teams will be looking to secure crucial points in a highly competitive Champions League campaign.