Pedro and Fabregas preparing for "emotional game" against Barça

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas says communication with his friends at Barcelona has dried up ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League tie against his former side. 

Fabregas left Barça for Chelsea three-and-a-half years ago but remains close with, among others, Lionel Messi, who he speaks with on a regular basis. 

However, those chats have reduced in the build up to the game, which is the first meeting between the two sides in European competition since 2012.  

"I speak to some of [the Barcelona players] nearly every day," Fabregas told reporters. "Probably now, we speak less -- maybe because of the game."

Fabregas came through La Masia before leaving for Arsenal as a teenager, only to return to Barca in 2011. 

He spent three years at his hometown club before moving to Chelsea in 2014 and says it will be emotional to play against the side he was a fan of growing up. 

The Catalan added: ”It's my hometown, it's the club I supported for all my life. In that way, it will be emotional. But once you step into the pitch, that just goes away. I did it with Arsenal.

"It's a massive night for the players, for the club, for English football in general, so hopefully we can do well and give a good image of what we can do.

"Barcelona are still a great side. They try to put the first pressure very high, always work towards the ball. But if we can past this first phase and not put ourselves under too much pressure then I think that we can hurt them.

"They will leave a lot of spaces at the back. We have three days to work on the game and I'm sure the manager will find the best solution."

DON'T CONCEDE 

Another forme Barça player now at Chelsea, Pedro Rodriguez, says the key for the English side is not to concede an away goal in the first leg. 

"It's important for us to keep a clean sheet," he said. "In the Champions League, in these two legged ties, it's always key to not concede at home. I hope we can get a good result."