Antonio Conte's plan for Chelsea to play Barcelona at their own game a 'dangerous tactic', claims Tony Cascarino

Antonio Conte deployed a ‘dangerous tactic’ in not starting a natural striker against Barcelona in the Champions League, claims Tony Cascarino.

Chelsea had to settle for a draw at Stamford Bridge after a sole mistake from Andreas Christensen allowed Lionel Messi to cancel out Willian’s opener.

The Blues sat deep for most of the evening, with Eden Hazard – flanked by Pedro and goalscorer Willian – leading the line, but deserved at least their draw to take to Camp Nou for the second leg.

Cascarino, though, feels Conte was naïve to play the Catalan giants ‘at their own game’.

“It was a surprise that Antonio Conte chose to leave both of his strikers, Álvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud, on the bench at the start,” the former Chelsea striker wrote in The Times.

“It meant that Chelsea were playing Barcelona at their own game, which is a very dangerous tactic. The Italian was opting to play a fast footballing match with the ball on the floor, which completely suits Barcelona.

“Over two legs it’s very difficult for Chelsea to beat Barcelona at that kind of game. Remember that Manchester City totally outplayed Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the league in September, which should have been a warning to Conte.

“There was very little aerial threat from the Premier League side.”