Rivaldo expects Barcelona to eliminate Chelsea

CAIRO – 19 February 2018: Former Barcelona striker Rivaldo Ferreira expects Barcelona to defeat Chelsea when they meet on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League round of 16.

“I think it will be a difficult time, but Barcelona are favorites,” Rivaldo told Marca on Monday.

Barcelona will travel to London on Monday to play the first leg at Chelsea’s stadium, Stamford Bridge, before hosting them for the second leg two weeks later.

Rivaldo added, “You have to always respect English teams, but I think Barcelona are a better team than Chelsea and will qualify for the next round."

Rivaldo, 45, wore the Barcelona jersey between 1997 and 2002, achieving two Spanish League titles and a cup title before leaving to Milan.

One of Rivaldo’s greatest nights with Barcelona was against Chelsea in the 2000 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, when he and his teammates returned from a 3-1 loss in the first leg in London to a 5-1 victory in the second leg. Rivaldo scored two goals in the second leg.

“I remember that we lost 3-1 in England, but we came back here after going into extra-time in a difficult game,” Rivaldo said, recalling the game.