Barcelona v Chelsea (The European Classic) (Oct 18 & 31)

haha yeah, I know the feeling. Although today, I am calm as I have ever been before one of the matches. Maybe that's because there's much smaller pressure on us (when we went to Camp Nou last season 1-2 down on aggregate, I was a nervous wreck before the start).

Let's hope for a clean game (from both sides) and may the best team win

Kas is lucky. He only has a couple of hours before the game starts in the morning. We in Europe have all day to get nervous. I know it isn't a knock out round, but if Barcelona lose today, it may well have been. I'm not confident at all.

Any ideas on the Barca team for tonight?

Are thy going to play their own style off football or try to match Chelsea strength in midfield?

I read on El Mundo Deportivo it's going to be the same as Recre but with Zambrotta,Gio and Messi in for Belletti, Sylvinho and Giuly:

Valdes

Zambrotta Puyol Marquez Gio

Xavi Edmilson Deco

Ronnie Guddy Messi

S4P wrote:haha yeah, I know the feeling. Although today, I am calm as I have ever been before one of the matches. Maybe that's because there's much smaller pressure on us (when we went to Camp Nou last season 1-2 down on aggregate, I was a nervous wreck before the start).

Let's hope for a clean game (from both sides) and may the best team win

Two things may happen: Chelsea "steal" a well earned 0-1 Chelsea style OR Barcelona crush them 4-0. I said the same thing about Lyon-Real Madrid game, and the crushing part came true.

@ culé

Why no Iniesta? I thought he would be better than Xavi no?

I think this could be VERY interesting, Chelsea could win...

@toon h, it's more than a couple of hours because the game is at 1.45pm my time, but yeah, it's still much better to wait for a shorter time!

As for lineups, I have a strong feeling that Belletti will start over Zambrotta, just to give us the extra width, esp. if Chelsea play the diamond midfield again.

@Tweeds

I would prefer Iniesta to start too but it looks like Rijkaard doesn't

kasnani wrote:@toon h, it's more than a couple of hours because the game is at 1.45pm my time, but yeah, it's still much better to wait for a shorter time!

As for lineups, I have a strong feeling that Belletti will start over Zambrotta, just to give us the extra width, esp. if Chelsea play the diamond midfield again.

Yo Kasnani! I was thinking the same regarding Belletti. I have Zambrotta in my fantasy team. Should I make a late transfer? Hmmm...we know the road to a Barcelona victory is through Ashley Cole's ass.

Still cant see Barca scoring, which is an incredible statement, however minus Eto they lack a true goal threat upfront, Ronaldinho's form is a bone of contention leaving the burden of responsibility on Messi.

However i dont believe that Xavi and Deco will be nullified in this game, the Barca pitch is larger thus making Essien,Ballack and Lampards job to close them down a little harder.

Puro wrote:

kasnani wrote:@toon h, it's more than a couple of hours because the game is at 1.45pm my time, but yeah, it's still much better to wait for a shorter time!

As for lineups, I have a strong feeling that Belletti will start over Zambrotta, just to give us the extra width, esp. if Chelsea play the diamond midfield again.

Yo Kasnani! I was thinking the same regarding Belletti. I have Zambrotta in my fantasy team. Should I make a late transfer? Hmmm...we know the road to a Barcelona victory is through Ashley Cole's ass.

Speaking of fullbacks who have raped recently, when is Zambrotta going to hit form for Barca? He's been awful for them so far

4 hours, 15 minutes to go.

I think Barca will just about win tonight, but I think the Chelsea midfield will make it extremely difficult. Although he's only conceded 1 goal in 4 games, I still see Hilario as a potential weak point. He's been helped by the fact that John Terry has been magnificent, and whichever 3 that have accompanied him (Geremi, Boulahrouz, Ashley Cole OR Ferreira, Carvalho, Bridge) have also been terrific

S4P, you are more positive than the majority of Barça fans. Here there is a bit of nervousness, nobody is confident about the game tonight.

cule wrote:S4P, you are more positive than the majority of Barça fans. Here there is a bit of nervousness, nobody is confident about the game tonight.

Maybe because for the first time, I am relaxed during one of the games. Very relaxed as a matter of fact. Last year I was a nervous wreck before the game started (as we needed 2 goals minimum!) but thought Barca would win.

I said (on the Group thread) the day the draw was made that in the Barcelona-Chelsea tie, the home side would win each match (so Chelsea win the first, Barca win the 2nd).

I think the 1st goal is the most crucial. If Barca score first, Chelsea will try to attack and may concede 2 or 3. If Chelsea score, you can see us sitting tight and not giving you any space whatsoever. It'll become a bit boring for the neutrals, but that doesn't bother me if Chelsea wins 0-1.

I can't see Chelsea scoring more than 1 tonight if truth be told. Our scoring has been terrible (21 shots v Portsmouth, 2 goals!! 15 shots v Aston Villa, 1 goal!), so I just hope the boys at the back (who have been awesome since the minute Petr Cech was injured) can put on another superb performance in what will be the hardest match of the season for them.

Well I'm off, see you all tonight, hopefully Barça will send Mourinho to the teatre!

VISCA EL BARÇA!!!!!!!

fuck me im not worried at all....if barca win its great but if we lose its not the end of the world cause we'l beat breman and levski at home

cule wrote:Well I'm off, see you all tonight, hopefully Barça will send Mourinho to the teatre!

VISCA EL BARÇA!!!!!!!

Have a good evening.

I'd better go and get some beers in for the match come to think of it.

VISCA EL BARÇA

I am going.. lets hope for a solid Barça victory, no injuries and no weird ref decisions..

chels:

Hilario

Boulahrouz, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole,

Makelele, Essien, Lampard, Ballack,

Drogba, Robben

Sheva not on the bench.

Barsa:

Valdes

Zambro, Puyol, Marquez, Gio

Xavi, Motta, Deco

Messi, Eidur, Ronaldinho

Robben worries me. He can be brilliant, but he can also be anonymous. I just hope the right Robben (from our perspective) turns up.

--------------Hilario----------------
Boulahrouz-Carvalho-Terry-Cole
-------------Makelele--------------
---Essien--------------Lampard---
--------------Ballack---------------
------Drogba--------Robben------


-----------Gudjohnsen-------------
Ronaldinho-------------------Messi
--------Deco--------Xavi-----------
---------------Motta-----------------
Gio--Marquez---Puyol--Zambrotta
--------------Valdes-----------------

Gudjohnsen in goal

mourinho should have gone for a 4-3-3 it would be perfect for this game.
but since he refuses to go away from his 4-4-2 this is good too because he has a fast robben who should prob play more wide.
and i think rijkard is making a mistake in not playing inesta when he is clearly the only inform player in their midfield.

Hardrada wrote:Gudjohnsen in goal

Very funny.

supermadrid(zizou legend) wrote:mourinho should have gone for a 4-3-3 it would be perfect for this game.
but since he refuses to go away from his 4-4-2 this is good too because he has a fast robben who should prob play more wide.
and i think rijkard is making a mistake in not playing inesta when he is clearly the only inform player in their midfield.

4-4-2 also keeps a tight midfield and this is crucial when playing against Barca's attacking play.

Jose doesn't normally (even when playing 4-4-2) select the 4 CM's (although he did for the first few games of the season)

I did question the selection before the game at Stamford Bridge, but it seems Jose got it spot on.

Good luck to Chelsea, lets hope it a clean game and Barça dont dive around

La Saeta Rubia wrote:Good luck to Chelsea, lets hope it a clean game and Barça dont dive around

Cheers mate

yeah i really hope you get them.