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Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde wishes Chelsea had won their group so they didn't have to play them but says: 'Any time is a bad time to face them'

Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde wishes Chelsea had won their Champions League group so they did not have to play them in the round of 16, but claims 'any time is a bad time' to face the Premier League title holders.

The two clubs were drawn together after Chelsea finished second behind Roma in Group C and meet at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night for the first leg of their European tie.

Speaking in west London ahead of the game, Valverde admits he would have wished to avoid Chelsea at this early stage of the competition, but insists his players are looking forward to the challenge of playing the English champions.