Barcelona needed nothing less than a win from Tuesday’s trip to the Ciutat de Valencia, to truly keep the pressure on the two Madrid clubs.
Real Madrid confirmed on Tuesday that French defender Ferland Mendy has a problem in his tibia, leaving him a doubt for this season.
Captain Sergio Ramos returns to the Real Madrid squad for the trip to London, whilst Ferland Mendy and Fede Valverde also return to the fold.
The two teams have never gone head-to-head in a competitive fixture at Stamford Bridge.
The latest development comes as Ramos is already nursing a calf injury he picked up in recent international duty
The French centre-back Raphael Varane will miss the crucial Champions League quarterfinal against Liverpool