Valverde: Chelsea one of Barcelona’s toughest games of the season

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde said that Wednesday’s clash with Chelsea was one of his side’s toughest games of the season.

Two goals from Lionel Messi and one from Ousmane Dembele secured a 3-0 win for Barcelona and booked their place in the quarter-finals.

Speaking after the match Valverde paid tribute to the Blues for their performance and also to Messi who put in another stunning display.

“They were a real team, they’ve got extraordinary players and we knew it was going to be very tough. They showed how tough they are to play against and this was one of the toughest games of the season.”

”Just as in the first leg, we were in control. We played well but you could see that they always carried a threat. We had to suffer right until the end.”

”It’s a luxury having Messi in your team - he’s so decisive in every attack and can create danger. Our attacking game goes through him and he makes every move better.”

Source | UEFA

The win also means Barcelona are into the last eight of the Champions League for an 11th consecutive season.

Valverde’s name was ringing around Camp Nou on Wednesday as he led his team to yet another win.

Barcelona remain unbeaten in La Liga and the Champions League and return to league action on Sunday when they welcome Athletic Bilbao to Camp Nou.