Barcelona vs CHELSEA: Champions League Preview
Uefa Champions League, Semi-final first leg
Venue: Camp Nou
Date: Tuesday, 28 April
Kick-off: 1945 BST
Here we go again then, it’s Barcelona at the Nou Camp, but whilst they’re another one of them clubs we seem to keep bumping into in the Champions League and you’d think it would be a bit deja vu, this one’s likely to be a little different from all those that have gone before. And for me the difference will be in personnel because this will be the best Barca side we’ve ever had to face and unfortunately for us, it won’t be the strongest ever side we’re putting up against them tonight.
I suppose if we want to take comfort from something, there’s the fact that in 3 of the last 4 Champions League seasons Barcelona have been knocked out by us (2004-05), Liverpool (2006-07) and Manchester United (2007-08). That record is of course ruined by them winning the Champions League final against Arsenal in the 2005-06 season but like I said, the other three games might offer us the odd crumb of hope.
On squad news, Barcelona do without Gabriel Milito through injury although Rafa Marquez returns. Sadly, neither Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Eto’o or Henry will be missing. For Chelsea though, Joe Cole and Paulo Ferreira remain out for the season and both Ricardo Carvalho and Deco are unlikely to make it back from their hamstring injuries. And whilst Chelsea captain John Terry is back from his suspension, Ashley Cole sits this one out courtesy of an unnecessary yellow against Liverpool.
KEY PLAYERS
BARCELONA
Lionel Messi – the Argentinean is having a great season and is the Champions League’s top scorer right now with 8 goals from nine games. Add to that the fact that he won’t even have a recognised left-back marking him and he is going to cause us a lot of problems.
CHELSEA
Didier Drogba – the Ivorian has scored in each of our last five Champions League games and one more would break the record for scoring in the most consecutive Champions League games by a club. Mind you, it’s not just his attacking skills we’ll be relying on in this game because I’ve got a feeling we’ll be needing his physical presence in amongst our defence for this one as well.
HEAD TO HEAD
This is our fifth meeting in the Champions League, with us progressing twice – in the 2004-05 and 2006-07 seasons. In total, from 11 games against Barcelona, we’ve managed four wins to their five, four of those have been at the Nou camp although the last two there have been drawn.
CLUB FORM
BARCELONA
Barca have scored the most goals in the Champions League this season (29) and are just 2 goals shy of Real Madrid’s record total of 850 in European competition. Barca have also reached the Champions League semi-finals for a record sixth time and for the second time in succession.
On the road to the semi-finals Barca have won six, drawn three and lost one. In their last Champions League game, they drew 1-1 away at Bayern Munich, with a 5-1 win on aggregate.
CHELSEA
We’ve reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for our third consecutive season and for the fifth time in six seasons. In our run up to this year’s semis we’ve won five drawn four and lost won, scoring 19 and conceding 12. Our last game saw a 4-4 draw with Liverpool, giving us an aggregate win of 7-5.
PREDICTION
It goes without saying Barcelona are the favourites not only tonight but in the tie overall and if you look at their form this season that’s no surprise. They’ve lost once in the league and once in the Champions League all season whilst we’ve managed just one win away in this competition, with three draws and a defeat along the way. On top of that, I can see Petr Cech having a touch of nerves when he’s faced with Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi and if we can keep it below 3-0 I think we’ll have done pretty good.
CHELSEA TEAM
From: Cech, Hilario, Belletti, Alex, Ivanovic, Bosingwa, Mancienne, Terry, Lampard, Ballack, Obi, Kalou, Essien, Malouda, Di Santo, Anelka, Stoch, Drogba
You seem to be forgetting one important man
The Referee!!
No use in have big strong players to muscle their way if the referee like to play nice clean football as most European referee do.
We neutrals would like to see another 4-4 game with end-to-end non-stop football.
I think the winners of this side of the draw will lift the CL.
One of the major different between the 2 sides is how they are run. One by bunch of fans who all own the club the other by a rich man to play with as he feels like, neither keep a manger too long. Where as Barca have a long list of superstars that have graced their kit and still do, Chelsea have Chopper Harris!!
To walk around the trophy room of Barca one would see a room full of the top prizes of the game over many years of success and achievement.
Sham - glad to see you don’t feel bitter anymore, lol. The fact is, we’re in the semis again because we deserve to be, end of story.
Oh and of course I didn’t forget the ref, it goes without saying we’re only allowed ten men to play against Barca anyway
Records in loop - go on harping about clubs that achieved this and that - well in case you didn’t notice, they started without a full trophy cabinet .. so how is that even relevant, considering both clubs are in the champions league semis and have proven their mettle to get there ..
Also, Quaresma?? Is he cup-tied or not?? His name is on the list you have put out ..
You gotta have more faith that hoping we keep the score around 3-0!
Quaresma is cup-tied as far as I know.
I agree with Spektral. You gotta have more faith!! Bosingwa can at least do a decent job on Messi, and the rest of our D is solid. Plus our Midfield will undoubtedly eventually out-muscle Barca’s, and they have no answer for Drogba. That said, Barca’s still an outstanding team.
Before you start on about a great Chelsea game of not allowing Barca play or missing the one and only real chance you had in the game.
Why the hell did Hoodwink take off Crying Fat Frank?
An away goal was always on the cards with him on, granted he does take about 40 to 50 shots at goal to score one.
The Ref did make a few bad calls not a Howard “the red” Webb league but over all your plan to stop Barca worked.
Does it really mean that you have the upper hand for the second leg? Away goal for Barca could prove a real kick in the balls for you. did you miss the chance to get the all important away goal???
Think Doppy Dogba is really suited to play in Spain next year.
The way he fall and rolls about will fit in very well.
Seen the interview on the BBC and wow he is a bigger prat than I was think he was before it. Funny that he did not say he want to join Chelsea but more want to play for Maureen!! Better hope that Maureen does not take over the Scum or Doppy Dogba will be kiss the scum badge.