I think if Chelsea have any sense they should rest their players, they are leading in the semi final for gods sake, its pretty close to winning the damn thing and fulfilling Abramovichs expensive vanity project.
Champ league SEMI final
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They've won without Iniesta before - though he's one of the best 'big game' performers out there. Messi? What team wouldn't 'drop' a few notches without one of the greatest to ever play the game? You seem to be slighting Barca quite a bit. I know they're diving tippy tappy bellends, but their system has allowed them to win games when their full squad isn't there non-stop over the last few years ...
I'd be surprised if most people thought that Real and Barca were clearly the best two teams in the world. Barca yes but Real were far from clear favourites against Bayern. To be honest I think Munich have underperformed enormously in the last few years.
When Jose won the CL with Inter I thought Bayern were clearly the better team but just didn't get the rub of the green. The next season I thought they were again the team to beat; they absolutely thumped Inter in a performance that seemed to smack of revenge only to then let two goals in over the last few minutes to lose on away goals.
I'm sure many would dismiss it but Bayern were fantastic that season too and probably see that game in a similar light to what Milan view Istanbul.
I do agree with your overall point about La Liga and it's lack of depth being a liability for their top teams when games get tough. You have to learn how to win the tough games and Barca showed tonight they're a little short of match toughness when it comes to coping with a quality team with quality players. Bar the last flurry when they hit the post, for all their possession and tippy tappy football they created next to nothing in the 2nd half. Not to say they're going out cause I think they'll go through but they got beat tonight by an inferior team who were close enough in talent and quality to make it tough for them. In the end that's all the opposition had to do - make it tough for them.
I'm pretty keen after that performance to see Barca and Bayern in the final; I'd like to see how Barca handle the pace of Robben and Ribery as well as the arial prowess of Gomez and Kroos at set pieces. On the flip side I'd like to see how Bayern handle the efforts of Messi and Xavi and co. Would Bayern's pace out wide keep Alves back in his own half and, if so, how do Barca get the width they need to allow their midfield to play?
When Jose won the CL with Inter I thought Bayern were clearly the better team but just didn't get the rub of the green. The next season I thought they were again the team to beat; they absolutely thumped Inter in a performance that seemed to smack of revenge only to then let two goals in over the last few minutes to lose on away goals.
I'm sure many would dismiss it but Bayern were fantastic that season too and probably see that game in a similar light to what Milan view Istanbul.
I do agree with your overall point about La Liga and it's lack of depth being a liability for their top teams when games get tough. You have to learn how to win the tough games and Barca showed tonight they're a little short of match toughness when it comes to coping with a quality team with quality players. Bar the last flurry when they hit the post, for all their possession and tippy tappy football they created next to nothing in the 2nd half. Not to say they're going out cause I think they'll go through but they got beat tonight by an inferior team who were close enough in talent and quality to make it tough for them. In the end that's all the opposition had to do - make it tough for them.
I'm pretty keen after that performance to see Barca and Bayern in the final; I'd like to see how Barca handle the pace of Robben and Ribery as well as the arial prowess of Gomez and Kroos at set pieces. On the flip side I'd like to see how Bayern handle the efforts of Messi and Xavi and co. Would Bayern's pace out wide keep Alves back in his own half and, if so, how do Barca get the width they need to allow their midfield to play?
I thought so too - but the TV coverage was basically saying it was 'routine.' It was a top class save, especially with a Barca playing flying right near it and Cech didn't lose his concentration.
I concur with your last sentence ... and I don't think Barca can do it unless they pick up their game a few notches for this weekend and the decider.
Phil McNulty @philmcnulty
Not sure whether Sergio Busquets was complaining about Didier Drogba's obvious over-acting or congratulating him on it.
Not sure whether Sergio Busquets was complaining about Didier Drogba's obvious over-acting or congratulating him on it.
Point taken, and its true that barca did have some belting chances but Barca also go in for far too much tikki sometimes and not enough takki, massive possesion high up the field is excellent but against a team who know how to dig and hit you on the break....
How am I slighting Barca? They've got possibly the biggest grudge match in world football coming up with a recent history of spite and cards only a few days before the second leg. I'm sure Jose will want his players to be as provocative as possible and that could see them in trouble with cards etc.
As Molby says, the Chavs should (and probably will) rest some players; they're awfully close to the summit that Roman has been chasing for nearly a decade so now isn't the time to let up on that goal. Barca, however, probably don't have the same option and are less capable of dealing with it; even without the added pressure of a La Liga title being on the line their fans probably wouldn't tolerate their team not taking the semi final 100% seriously.
🙂
That's class.
Who in recent years has been a bigger prick than Drogba in the epl?
I know Ronaldo was a diving twat but even he seemed to pale in comparison to some of Drogba's efforts.
J
John McGovern
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As an aside, how awful was Dani Alves? I have watched most Barcelona games this season, and I wouldn't swap him for Johnson. Most over-rated full back ever.
Bayern are a very good footballing side it has to be said,and have been for a while, numerous top quality players and I hate them a good deal less than any of the other three semi finalists which is important... at least to me it is....
I just reckon the disparity in la liga does have a certain magnifying effect on both Real and Barca.
That said I still think Both Real and Barca will pull out a performance and reach the final though so im just being a big fat windbag.
drogba's antics were so bad that ITV were able to to make a montage of his first half diving
but shit today. absolute fucking rubbish
Yeah, he was - and I'm sure Keni knows it.
Actually, I can't remember seeing him play well against Chelsea. Maybe two years ago at the Nou Camp but even then I thought he just played quite well in a team that was just humming beautifully.
That was when he called Gerrard a "nothing player" 🙂
His crossing is generally average, though last night it was properly shit.
it's how chelsea were able to remain compact because he did ONCE pull their defenders out of position.
you'd hope he'll have more success next time on a bigger pitch.
did I hear correctly that barca haven't ever turned round a deficit?
You reckon so? Think back to half-time in Istanbul. Barca will win the home leg, but I don't think they're nailed on by any means to get through to the Final.
if chelsea score first I think barca are fucked.
Agreed.
The thing is can Barca really be that wasteful in front of goal a second time in 7 days?
Chelsea got one attempt on target in 90 minutes at home; what sort of improvement do you think they can expect at the Nou Camp?
I really think it comes down to what happens on the weekend. If Barca go all guns blazing against Madrid then that might just take the edge off them for the CL and Chelsea (or Drogba) only need one chance to make it really, really tough. If it was anyone else you'd say that one goal would be enough for them to get the job done but if Barca get into gear I don't see enough weapons in that Chelsea team to put them off. They'll still go through IMO but they've looked very vulnerable in both the quarters and the semi's.
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the_khl
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For one I don't think Chelsea defended very well at all last night. Nor played well on the counter either. They had ONE chance all game and they scored only because Ramires mishit his cross. And they were torn apart on several ocassions despite defending with 11 players throughout.
Barcelona had enough 100 pct chances to win four games and they'll make it count at home. Chelsea needs to score at least two but more likely three or four to progress. That will not happen, football will win alongside Barca come Tuesday next.
It's football and everything can happen but in 99 out of a 100 games Barca will turn over this rather bleak-looking Chelsea side at Camp Neu.
Barcelona had enough 100 pct chances to win four games and they'll make it count at home. Chelsea needs to score at least two but more likely three or four to progress. That will not happen, football will win alongside Barca come Tuesday next.
It's football and everything can happen but in 99 out of a 100 games Barca will turn over this rather bleak-looking Chelsea side at Camp Neu.
I don't think Ramires mishit that cross.
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the_khl
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You don't? To me it looked pretty obvious he was trying to get the ball the other way around the defender. Anyways, it was still there only decent move all game and they weren't defending well either.
That was my point.
T
the_khl
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He is but he was the worst Barca player on the pitch. The ammount of times he hoofed a good opportunity into the stands was pretty frustrating.
alves is amazing but he was terrible yesterday. maybe he is saving himself for the weekend.
He's overrated, without doubt, but he's still very good. Johnson is twice the defender Alves is, yet most people on this forum class Johnson as a complete liability, as an attacking full back though, there is none better in the world than Alves.
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