Barcelona H CL Pre match thread {merged}

[kanovic]

If we were really looking to take advantage at set pieces then surely Lescott would have been playing?

And yes, suffice to say Im a little miffed that MD is playing.

Your not alone there. Lescott is limited but he is a solid defender. I can just see Messi turning MD inside out for fun.

To be honest messi would do the same to Lescott also

 

[baldybouncer]

Messi vs. MD - not a contest I'm looking at with optimism TBH.

Am thinking Zaba will be closely and personally managing Messi!

 

[bluethai]

Constant pressing is the key to success for tonight.

 

[simon23]

Think kolorov is there to attack their weak point........defending crosses....put enough in for negrado and he should get a few chances esp against mascherano

Mdm vs any of their forwards concerns me......he dives in way too much and against barcas attacking players this could be a huge problem.....cannt understsnd why he does it so badly frim a seasoned pro...school boy defensing at times but hopefully his experience will shine through tonight

 

[Cobwebcat]

Balanced team with Barca in mind and loads of options off the bench. Clever.

 

[BlueMoonz1977]

Constant pressing is the key to success for tonight.

I will try that with the missus

 

[SebastianBlue]

If we were really looking to take advantage at set pieces then surely Lescott would have been playing?

And yes, suffice to say Im a little miffed that MD is playing.

I think Pellegrini was worried about Lescott's lack of mobility which Fabregas and Messi (and later likely Neymar) would make him pay for.

But DM is slower than Lescott so....

I very much disagree, and I also wasn't just speaking of pace, I also meant agility, which I've always thought was Lescott's biggest drawback.

 

[pudge]

If we were really looking to take advantage at set pieces then surely Lescott would have been playing?

And yes, suffice to say Im a little miffed that MD is playing.

I think Pellegrini was worried about Lescott's lack of mobility which Fabregas and Messi (and later likely Neymar) would make him pay for.

Lescott's positioning makes up for his lack of mobility.

Id rather have a tall, strong CB who compliments Kompany than Demichelis against Barca tbf.

All we need is a CB whos gonna rush into tackles, push up needlessly and create gaps in the defence for a certain Mr. Messi to saunter through.

I hope he proves me wrong but unfortunately i doubt he will

 

[Plaything of the gods]

lets fucking ave these tonight, city!

in at em from the off, play for set pieces, use the stoke city blueprint for success, 10 men behind the ball when not in possession.

Sorry, I can't feel that enthusiasm with Demichelis playing in place of Lescott.

 

[welsh_andy]

would have thought they delayed fucking emeradale fucking farm and have a decent pre game show. I FUCKING HATE SOAPS, get ya shit together itv