Into the unknown? Barcelona v Chelsea Preview
By dixon9
April 27 2009
Well, here we are AGAIN! Almost as much as we invariably seem to get paired against Liverpool, we face Barcelona on a yet another occasion. We always seem to get unlucky in that we play against them when they are at their height – not on downward ebb - and this time will be no different but although they appear to at their most deadly, there is something of an element of the unknown about them.
Frightening form
Their form in La Liga is fast approaching legendary status. They head their league with a reasonable margin despite a resolute Real Madrid trailing in their wake (still not prepared to give up and tread water and put their arms up in acknowledgement of defeat). The amount of goals they have scored is boarding on the obscene and of course they boast a midfield and forward line that is being touted as the best in Europe.
Naturally, one player sticks out – Lionel Messi. He almost seems to destroy defences single-handedly although to forget the likes of Iniesta in support for example would be a disservice to their squad.
A first test of quality opposition?
Nevertheless, there is a factor which, amidst the plaudits in the meda and the almost hysterical praise in circles of football fans in pubs around the country, still bears in the reluctance to triumphantly slap down the final verdict of greatness – just who have they played of real confirmed quality this season?
Well, there is Real Madrid in their own league of course, but this is a Real Madrid whom were embarrassed at Anfield. Third placed Sevilla? Yep, they trounced them the other night – but then so did Real Madrid at the weekend. Well, ok – how about Bayern Munich in the Champions League? True. Bayern were outclassed by the Catalans but then that same Bayern Munich had been thrashed in the Bundesliga 5-1 the weekend before they played Barcelona.
Achilles heels – two of them
Am I getting too carried away? Hmmm…possibly. I still wouldn´t say they ARE the best in Europe though simply because, in my mind, it hasn’t been confirmed yet.
My suspicion is that we may have already faced more difficult overall competition in our own league – I say overall – because to say they haven’t the or one of the best midfield and strike-forces in the Europe would be churlish. However, they do have two glaring weaknesses.
Valdes in goal has looked insecure and flappy this season and their defence does have a tendency to shift alarmingly out of position. In general, they are also a small team in that they lack height (at the back particularly). I was under the impression that Marquez, is suspended but the BBC report suggests otherwise.
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The question is, do we have the minerals to attack and put these Achilles heels to the test?
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No kneeling please
It would be so easy to sit back, try and keep things tight and attempt to leave the Nou Camp unscathed, but to do so would surely only serve to play into their hands. Thankfully, waiting in the trenches to repel wave after wave of attack doesn’t appear to be the Hiddink way – I just hope the players put the Dutchman’s philosophy into practice. We must probe and stretch them, give them something to think about.
I would be tempted to go 4-4-2 and launch balls towards Drogba and Anelka – not pretty I know, but boy, would that put them under pressure. I can’t see Hiddink doing that of course and we do have this left-back conundrum to think about, but to concentrate on Messi and only Messi would be a grave error.
Complicit Referee?
If it isn’t bad enough that we face Barcelona on their own manor we also have the spectre of a sneering UEFA over us. Platini and Blatter are in no mood to see English teams dominate in Europe and a pass to Barcelona to the final is their only hope. Expect the referee to favour the Catalans at every hurdle – big or small.
We certainly have a long night ahead of us tomorrow evening but we also have a few deadly weapons ourselves don´t we? We can fight on our feet or die on our knees – and we are Chelsea.
Come on you Blues!
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Possible line-up:
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The bad sign is that Henry, Eto'o and Messi have scored MORE goals between them in La Liga, than Chelsea have scored in the Premiership.
Barca will be wary of us scoring tomorrow night.
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Quote:pk_gunner
dixon you've been to the Nou Camp haven't you?
Yes.
I was there at the Friskgate match the first time. Haven´t sat up in the gods yet with the away fans (supposed to be very high and difficult to distingish the players). And bloody freezing.
They HATE us of course and what strikes you is that their fans protest EVERY single, possible foul and put the referee under enormous pressure.
Big but old stadium. Like most continental stadiums it is a huge lump of concrete - little in the way of faclities.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:04:27:21:14:49 by dixon9.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Another bad loss.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Chelsea DIDN´T train on the Nou Camp pitch - Hiddink preferred to train and prepare at Cobham and take the squad direct to the hotel in Barcelona.
Ashley Cole has travelled with the squad even though he can´t play.
Hiddink arrived at the Nou Camp to do his press conference.
Looks like Bosingwa will be at left-back and the only question is if Kalou or Anelka will start.
Hiddink says they will attack - Chelsea nor Barcelona will want to defend he said.
Guardiola said that tomorrow night s the night that they will "seduce" the world with their football.
Barcelona play Real Madrid at the weekend.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
He said: “Their failures were down to little details but a squad that had looked invincible appeared vulnerable.
“If Barca are not careful these little details could prove sensational for Chelsea.
“They need to avoid a physical game as Chelsea are very forceful.
“Barca must ensure Didier Drogba is not comfortable and that they keep Frank Lampard away from the ball for as long as possible to upset his rhythm.”
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
I thought it was mandatory to train the evening before - you learn something new everyday.
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Hope not though, but if you can keep out Messi, Eto'o and Henry then you deserve another Final.
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
