Ernesto Valverde 'very positive' about Barcelona's draw with Chelsea

Boss Ernesto Valverde has acknowledged that he is pleased with Barcelona's 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Willian had given Chelsea a second-half lead but Lionel Messi equalised for Barcelona before the full-time whistle to give the Catalan giants an away goal and the advantage ahead of the second leg at Camp Nou.

Valverde has said that he feels 'very positive' about the game, but appeared keen to ensure that the La Liga outfit do not get complacent with Chelsea being forced to chase a result in the reverse fixture.

The 54-year-old is quoted by Marca as saying: "I rate it very positively, the game has been a clash of styles between two different teams. We wanted to take control of the play and have possession around their area, they wanted to surprise us on the counter.

"Towards the end we lacked a bit of clarity and there was a lot of overcrowding around their area, with a lot of players, and it was costing us. Willian hit the post a few times and, in the second half with the game under control, their goal came.

"We were missing chances despite dominating. What's good is that we kept insisting and we capitalised on a mistake. It's important to have the lead, but it's not definitive."

The second leg takes place in Spain on March 14.