Luis Suarez has claimed that Barcelona's equaliser against Chelsea on Tuesday night will provide the team with 'more space to play' in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Willian had given Chelsea a second-half lead, only for Lionel Messi's leveller to provide the Catalan giants with an away goal ahead of the reverse fixture at Camp Nou.

Suarez has suggested that Messi's strike will lead to Chelsea being forced to play with more offensive tactics, rather than sitting deep and allowing Barcelona to have the majority of possession like they did at Stamford Bridge.

The 31-year-old is quoted by Marca as saying: "It was a beneficial goal for the second leg to have more space at the Camp Nou.

"Our strength is being better at home, that's why it was important to score today. Now they have to try to score at the Camp Nou and we'll have more space."

The contest in Spain will take place on March 14.