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i know its a few days away, however this match deserves a long build up. Forget Sofia, forget Werder these two matches will determine if Barca qualify first, second or maybe not at all. Chelsea vs. Barca is the type of game the Champions League is all about and these two heavey weights have built up a mythology to rival Troy vs. Sparta. It can be argued that niether side has hit top stride yet although both teams top their respective leagues as I post this.
For me the three biggest concerns for Barca when looking at this current Chelsea are the following. Firstly its Essien. He was missing last year and was exactly the type of play Mourinho seemed lacking in stopping Barca's quick pass and transition play. Have you seen him this year? he is playing like the guy that owned the midfields of France when at Lyon. The other factor is Shevchenko. He has failed to hit the mark (figuritively) for the Blues this season and will motivated to do well against Barca wih the Europes biggest spotlights on this game. Puyol usually contains him when they meet. However we'll see what the Ukranian can do this time around. In addition Chelsea have also added Khalid Boulahrouz. The 'Cannibal' will be asked to eat up Ronaldinho's sweet game from his right-side. The tough Dutchmen has no concience when it comes to his tackles and Dinho will find it tougher still to keep his legs under him.
Barca will find out just how much they will miss Sam Eto'o. What is for sure is that we will miss the Cameroonian's swagger when the game rolls around. Eto'o isn't one of these fickle, sensitive type of strikers, who shy away against certain opposition or discriminate against who is scored against. Eto'o will or rather has driven the knife into pretty much every team his faced. His confidence and that 'up for it' face will be missed when Barca walks on to the Bridge.
Then again Barca have Gudjhonsen, who's added stripes of red to his blue shirt. He will most likely fill the injured #9's boots. Frank isn't one for statements, but how can he resist not showing Jose what his missed out on. Discarded by Chelsea who used him as a bit-part player, 'Ice' returns to the Bridge. A goal will silence the Londoners whilst saying loud and clear that Barca made the right move. It can be assumed that the likes of Terry and Carvelho will know Guddy inside out. However to assume that, it must also be said that it can work both ways. Cule's will be hoping Guddy will have his two middle fingers erected in the air when its all said and done against the English aristocrats.
Expect more mad quotes from Mourinho although the 'special one' has seemed to tone down his act a bit this year (considering what his capable of that is). Maybe this ecounter will again see him switch off that filter that controls the flow of throughts from ones brain to ones mouth. Ronaldinho himself, usually like a dull rapper, contraversey free in front of the mic. Predicted Chelsea will be easier than Werder, when considering the Blues will need time to gel in all their new additions. His thoughts don't sound so misplaced when noticing that Chelsea have yet to hit high gear.
The eye of the tiger will be with Chelsea. However Mourinho won't need to roar at his team to motivate those involved in last years loss against the eventual European Champions regarding whats at stake. For less personal reasons Barca will be motivated themselves with the way things have played out so far in this group of death. They will need a win at the Bridge more so than Chelsea to avoid the undertakers at the group stage phase. A poor showing in London for Barca will have the "crisis" freaks rapping the word when it comes our chances in the competition this year. Barca must battle through and qualify considering whats at stake beyond the group phase. A chance to make history.
For me the three biggest concerns for Barca when looking at this current Chelsea are the following. Firstly its Essien. He was missing last year and was exactly the type of play Mourinho seemed lacking in stopping Barca's quick pass and transition play. Have you seen him this year? he is playing like the guy that owned the midfields of France when at Lyon. The other factor is Shevchenko. He has failed to hit the mark (figuritively) for the Blues this season and will motivated to do well against Barca wih the Europes biggest spotlights on this game. Puyol usually contains him when they meet. However we'll see what the Ukranian can do this time around. In addition Chelsea have also added Khalid Boulahrouz. The 'Cannibal' will be asked to eat up Ronaldinho's sweet game from his right-side. The tough Dutchmen has no concience when it comes to his tackles and Dinho will find it tougher still to keep his legs under him.
Barca will find out just how much they will miss Sam Eto'o. What is for sure is that we will miss the Cameroonian's swagger when the game rolls around. Eto'o isn't one of these fickle, sensitive type of strikers, who shy away against certain opposition or discriminate against who is scored against. Eto'o will or rather has driven the knife into pretty much every team his faced. His confidence and that 'up for it' face will be missed when Barca walks on to the Bridge.
Then again Barca have Gudjhonsen, who's added stripes of red to his blue shirt. He will most likely fill the injured #9's boots. Frank isn't one for statements, but how can he resist not showing Jose what his missed out on. Discarded by Chelsea who used him as a bit-part player, 'Ice' returns to the Bridge. A goal will silence the Londoners whilst saying loud and clear that Barca made the right move. It can be assumed that the likes of Terry and Carvelho will know Guddy inside out. However to assume that, it must also be said that it can work both ways. Cule's will be hoping Guddy will have his two middle fingers erected in the air when its all said and done against the English aristocrats.
Expect more mad quotes from Mourinho although the 'special one' has seemed to tone down his act a bit this year (considering what his capable of that is). Maybe this ecounter will again see him switch off that filter that controls the flow of throughts from ones brain to ones mouth. Ronaldinho himself, usually like a dull rapper, contraversey free in front of the mic. Predicted Chelsea will be easier than Werder, when considering the Blues will need time to gel in all their new additions. His thoughts don't sound so misplaced when noticing that Chelsea have yet to hit high gear.
The eye of the tiger will be with Chelsea. However Mourinho won't need to roar at his team to motivate those involved in last years loss against the eventual European Champions regarding whats at stake. For less personal reasons Barca will be motivated themselves with the way things have played out so far in this group of death. They will need a win at the Bridge more so than Chelsea to avoid the undertakers at the group stage phase. A poor showing in London for Barca will have the "crisis" freaks rapping the word when it comes our chances in the competition this year. Barca must battle through and qualify considering whats at stake beyond the group phase. A chance to make history.
