Chelsea

The last time Chelsea beat Barcelona they went on to win the Champions League for the first time.

Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard were the heartbeat of the team that overcame Bayern Munich on penalties in the final in 2012.

Have Enzo Maresca's Class of 2025-26 got what it takes to go all the way this season?

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Shamoon Hafez
Football news reporter at Etihad Stadium

Bitterly cold evening at Etihad Stadium, definitely long johns weather.

"We weren't expecting this Manchester City line-up," one of the Bayer Leverkusen coaching staff has told me here.

Indeed, it's surprised us all.

Pep Guardiola named the same starting line-up for the past three games but has taken a gamble by bringing in the fringe players for this one, though City are in a strong position in the table.

It's a big night for Omar Marmoush, coming in to replace Erling Haaland and he will be hoping to fire in an attempt to win a place back in the side on a regular basis.

Chelsea

There are big weeks and then there are BIG weeks.

This week definitely falls into the latter for Enzo Maresca and his Chelsea players.

After tonight, the countdown is on for the visit of Premier League leaders Arsenal to Stamford Bridge on Sunday (16:30 GMT).

"It's a big week, but at the end of the week we have Leeds away, Bournemouth away, so that is another big week," said Maresca.

"It's always a big week."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol says he "couldn't sleep" last season as he was trying to think of "solutions for the team" during their slump in form.

City finished third in 2024-25, a season Gvardiol says was "the worst season so far in my career".

"It was painful," he added.

"I remember I couldn't sleep because I was trying to find solutions for the team to help get the club out of its position.

"Things were not going the way we wanted so I am glad that is behind us and we recovered well.

"We want to perform and be the best as we can. From now on I think things will be much easier."

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 Live at Stamford Bridge

This is an exciting match-up because both are naturally attacking-minded sides.

So both Chelsea and Barcelona actually have to go out and try to win this game. They are both in the play-off areas right now, but that can always change.

I can remember Andres Iniesta's goal, which happened right in front of where I'm sat right now, in the top corner. Even though I was on the Blues' side that night, it was still magical. Then you add in all of Lionel Messi's goals and that Fernando Torres goal.

Over the last 20 years, that's what these two teams have provided when they've come together.

Newcastle United

What a week this could be for Eddie Howe and his side.

On Saturday, they toppled Manchester City in the Premier League and now they are in France to take on Marseille in one of Europe's toughest atmospheres.

These are the nights the Toon Army have dreamed about.

Image source, Getty Images

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter at Stamford Bridge

Image source, BBC Sport

Everyone wants a ticket for Barcelona's visit to Stamford Bridge.

I was bombarded with requests from people around football about any chances to watch this one.

There is also a huge travelling media pack, a full away end for the Catalan giants and a host of legends are working this game on TV.

So far I have spotted Wayne Rooney, Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Martinez, Peter Schmeichel, Alan Shearer and Daniel Sturridge.

The entire near touchline of the pitch is full of cameras and these kinds of games just show that Chelsea have outgrown their 40,000-seater stadium as they plot an upgrade in the near future.

Ciaran Kelly
BBC Sport reporter at Stade Velodrome

Image source, Getty Images

The Stade Velodrome was uncharacteristically quiet.

So Eddie Howe could be heard loud and clear when the Newcastle United head coach barked orders to his players during training at the otherwise empty stadium on Monday night.

Newcastle did not always take up the opportunity to train on the pitch on the eve of games when they last competed in the Champions League a couple of years ago.

But it was rather telling that Howe’s side travelled early to Marseille to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings – just as they did ahead of hammering Union Saint-Gilloise in their last Champions League away day in September.

Howe even said he would look to prepare slightly differently on match day, itself, “to keep the players mentally engaged and ready”.

This febrile atmosphere will test the mettle of a Newcastle side who have recorded just a solitary win on their travels in the last seven months.

Chelsea

The Champions League trophy is on display at Stamford Bridge.

The big question is: will it be sitting in Chelsea's trophy cabinet at the end of May?

Image source, PA Media

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Paris

Thomas Frank was clearly still deeply unhappy with Tottenham Hotspur’s performance in defeat in the north London derby at Arsenal on Sunday – especially his side’s lack of competitive edge.

Frank has viewed the game again, admitting “it was a hard watch”, quoting one key stat when he said: “We had 53 situations which were like duels and second ball situations and we came out on top only 17 times and lost 36. If you don’t do that, that is the basics.”

It was this aspect of the Spurs’ display that hurt Frank after a defeat that drew widespread criticism of what was perceived as his negative approach, making no attempt to disguise his discontent.

Frank has to win some detractors back on Wednesday, but he must do it in the unforgiving surroundings of the Parc des Princes.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter at Stamford Bridge

Every exciting young attacker is rated on a scale from one to Lionel Messi.

The two 18-year-olds perhaps at the upper end of the scale are Lamine Yamal - already a global superstar - and now Chelsea's Estevao Willian.

Yamal, like Argentina legend Messi, emerged from Barcelona's famed La Masia academy.

Estevao was reluctantly crowned 'Messinho' - translated as 'little Messi' - through his performances in Brazil's top flight, and has started brilliantly since joining Chelsea after the summer Club World Cup.

They are now considered the two most valuable teenagers in world football.

According to CIES Football Observatory, Yamal is valued at a staggering £307.4m, with Estevao second but lagging far behind at £103.8m.

Four games, three wins for Newcastle so far in the Champions League as they continue their push for a top-eight spot.

Eddie Howe's side, though, face a tough test tonight at a hostile Marseille.

Gianfranco Zola
Former Chelsea forward on BBC Radio 4's Today programme

It will be very exciting to see Estevao Willian and Lamine Yamal on the pitch together. If you are Estevao or Yamal you go to the stadium and you are excited already because these type of players can produce great displays.

Estevao is on the right track. He can become a very important player and you can see glimpses of pure class. Yamal is already an established player despite his young age.

I saw Yamal last season in the Champions League games against Inter Milan and he was impressive.

Teenage dreams at Stamford Bridge as Estevao Willian and Lamine Yamal start on opposing sides. Who will emerge triumphant in the battle of the 18-year-olds?

Former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood will tonight play his first match against English opposition since leaving the club.

The 24-year-old left Old Trafford in September 2023 after a six-month internal investigation into his conduct.

Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 following allegations surrounding material which was published online.

Charges against the former England international, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped in February 2023.

Greenwood initially signed for La Liga side Getafe on loan before joining Marseille in July 2024 for a deal worth up to £26.6m.

He has since scored 33 times in 52 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, and was the league’s joint top scorer last season.

Manchester City

Manchester City's Erling Haaland could have made his 50th start in the Champions League but is instead on the bench. Unfamiliar territory for the striker.

Is Pep Guardiola trying to show everyone that his side are not in fact a one-man team? It's certainly an interesting one.

The Norwegian would have held the record for most goals scored within a player’s first 50 starts in the competition (50), even if he had not scored tonight.

In the early kick-offs, Jose Mourinho's Benfica, who have lost all of their opening four Champions League matches, are 1-0 up away against Ajax thanks to a sixth-minute goal from Samuel Dahl.

Ajax have also been beaten in all their Champions League games and are bottom of the table.

In Turkey, it is goalless in the clash between ninth-placed Galatasaray and Belgian side Union St-Gilloise, 28th in the table.

Image source, Getty Images

Ciaran Kelly
BBC Sport reporter at Stade Velodrome

Anthony Gordon looks set to lead the line for Newcastle United against Marseille at the Stade Velodrome.

The England forward has recovered from a hip issue and replaces record signing Nick Woltemade in the starting line-up.

Dan Burn and Joe Willock also come in to the team as head coach Eddie Howe makes three changes from Saturday's win against Manchester City.

Newcastle starting line-up: Pope, Livramento, Schar, Thiaw, Burn, Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock, Murphy, Gordon, Barnes

Subs: Thompson, Ramsdale, Hall, Botman, Joelinton, Elanga, Woltemade, A.Murphy, Ramsey, Miley, Alabi

Marseille also make three changes as midfielder Darryl Bakola makes his full debut for the club - at the age of just 17 years of age.

Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli and former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg also return to the starting line-up.

Marseille starting line-up: Rulli, Weah, Balerdi, Pavard, Emerson, Vermeeren, Hojbjerg, Bakola, Greenwood, Paixao, Aubameyang

Subs: De Lange, van Neck, Egan-Riley, Garcia, Gomes, O'Riley, Kondogbia, Nadir, Mmadi, Vaz

Barcelona

Marcus Rashford starts on the bench for Barcelona. Robert Lewandowski, who is 37, starts at Stamford Bridge.