mancity dan
Well-Known Member
I can only see one winner over the two legs and that's Barca. I think they will happy with a score draw at the Bridge but will absolutely destroy Chelsea at Camp Nou. What are your thoughts?
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Champions League Chelsea vs. Barcelona
- Thread starter mancity dan
- Start date
Chelsea could set up to nullify them imo, surely Chelsea have one of the best records against Barca of any team in Europe in recent times?
The team that drew Barca 0-0 at Camp Nou in 2009: Cech, Boswinga, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, Mikel, Ballack, Lampard, Essien, Malouda, Drogba. Replace Alex with Luiz, Boswinga with Cole, and Ballack with Mata.
I guess a big factor in their team selection will be if Essien starts. The old Essien would be invaluable in such a game but the Essien who's turned up lately has been shit. If I were them I would probably go with:
Cech
Ivanovic Terry Luiz Cole
Mikel
Lampard Mata
Ramires Drogba Malouda
They'll need big games from the experienced players - Malouda, Drogba, Lampard, Terry, but they will be up for it no doubt. I think it would be key to play Mata centrally.
This will be a lot closer than some people think imo.
The team that drew Barca 0-0 at Camp Nou in 2009: Cech, Boswinga, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, Mikel, Ballack, Lampard, Essien, Malouda, Drogba. Replace Alex with Luiz, Boswinga with Cole, and Ballack with Mata.
I guess a big factor in their team selection will be if Essien starts. The old Essien would be invaluable in such a game but the Essien who's turned up lately has been shit. If I were them I would probably go with:
Cech
Ivanovic Terry Luiz Cole
Mikel
Lampard Mata
Ramires Drogba Malouda
They'll need big games from the experienced players - Malouda, Drogba, Lampard, Terry, but they will be up for it no doubt. I think it would be key to play Mata centrally.
This will be a lot closer than some people think imo.
Latics Fan SJK
Well-Known Member
Really looking forward to this match. Hoping Chelsea get revenge for the farcical defeat a few years back and knock out these diving bastards and I don't think it's an impossible task (albeit unlikely).
Home leg:
Cech
Ivanovic/David Luiz/Terry/Cole
Essien/Lampard
Sturridge/Mata/Ramires
Drogba
I'd have Ramires on the left to counter Dani Alves' attacking bombardment and to help Cole out. As someone mentioned earlier, Mata in the middle is a must. I'd also plump for Sturridge (possibly Torres) on the right simply because Chelsea have to offer a quick attacking outlet on the counter and Barca's left side is weaker than their right defensively and offensively.
It'd crucial they get a lead at the bridge. 1-0 or 2-1 would be great.
Then set up the 2nd leg:
Cech
Ivanovic/David Luiz/Terry/Cole
Essien/Mikel/Ramires
Lampard/Mata
Torres
Pack CM with energetic players and use Lampard & Mata to try and release Torres (or Drogba) on the break. Keep the game compact in the middle and let Barca go wide.
Really looking forward to it anyhow!!
Home leg:
Cech
Ivanovic/David Luiz/Terry/Cole
Essien/Lampard
Sturridge/Mata/Ramires
Drogba
I'd have Ramires on the left to counter Dani Alves' attacking bombardment and to help Cole out. As someone mentioned earlier, Mata in the middle is a must. I'd also plump for Sturridge (possibly Torres) on the right simply because Chelsea have to offer a quick attacking outlet on the counter and Barca's left side is weaker than their right defensively and offensively.
It'd crucial they get a lead at the bridge. 1-0 or 2-1 would be great.
Then set up the 2nd leg:
Cech
Ivanovic/David Luiz/Terry/Cole
Essien/Mikel/Ramires
Lampard/Mata
Torres
Pack CM with energetic players and use Lampard & Mata to try and release Torres (or Drogba) on the break. Keep the game compact in the middle and let Barca go wide.
Really looking forward to it anyhow!!
BoyBlue_1985
Well-Known Member
Would it not be quite typical if Chelsea won this though
These only one winner later games always seem to be "the upset"
These only one winner later games always seem to be "the upset"
Danielmanc
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 21 Oct 2008
- Messages
- 1,461
Confirmed that Luiz is injured and so will not play according to The Times
mancity dan said:I can only see one winner over the two legs and that's Barca.
luckybhoy1
New Member
- Joined
- 12 Apr 2012
- Messages
- 1
Barca will make mince meat of Chelsea even though Chelsea have improved lately. There is no team in Europe anywhere near the two Spanish sides i'm afraid
BoyBlue_1985
Well-Known Member
luckybhoy1 said:Barca will make mince meat of Chelsea even though Chelsea have improved lately. There is no team in Europe anywhere near the two Spanish sides i'm afraid
Not even Apoel Tel Aviv????
mancity dan
Well-Known Member
Chelsea 4/1 at home, Barca 6/4. Not bad odds
mcfcPakistan
Well-Known Member
its going to be an interesting game, looking forward for some more champions league action