CL Semi Final :: Chelsea vs Barcelona (P+R)

[Sir Calumn]

I cant be bothered to put up all the flashy statistics and pictures like Andrei did in his thread for the other semi, but as the man with 100 euros riding on this couple of games I think I had a right to make this thread.

Chelsea on a high from drubbing Tottenham, but in the middle of a ridiculously congested period of high profile fixtures (Tottenham, Barcelona and Arsenal in seven days!). David Luiz out, possibly from both legs, bit of a blow as Cahill is completely untested at this level (though he has played against Spain in an England shirt). But at least Ivanovic's suspension means that he is available and guaranteed fresh for these two matches. I have a feeling he could be important. I dont think the team sheets have been announced yet but it is predicted that the central midfield pair will be Lampard and Mikel, which doesn't fill me with confidence against that Barca midfield, and that Kalou will get the nod with Sturridge benched, which again I am not sure about.....

As for Barcelona...... well, Arnau can write about them.......

 

[4ndr3i]

Go Torres!














It worked yesterday.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I want Chelsea to play Route 1 football and get rough with Barca. No one ever pushes those little bitches around. I want it to rain, and I want someone to push Messi's face into the mud.

Of course I think Barca will walk over them.

 

[Sir Calumn]

I want Chelsea to play Route 1 football and get rough with Barca. No one ever pushes those little bitches around. I want it to rain, and I want someone to push Messi's face into the mud.

Oh yes, I am really hoping these two games cement our reputation as the ****s of Europe for years to come....

 

[Sir Calumn]

Go Torres!

Ha I appreciate the effort but I dont think Torres will start and I am hoping to score before the 70th minute!

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Oh yes, I am really hoping these two games cement our reputation as the ****s of Europe for years to come....

It would be stupid to play tiki-taka against Barca, play a style that gives you a chance to win. I'd say your average player has 4 inches and 30 pounds on their counterpart.

 

[4ndr3i]

Ha I appreciate the effort but I dont think Torres will start and I am hoping to score before the 70th minute!

Drogba then, or Sturridge or anyone else, just do it.

Although I hope to God Chelsea wins it and goes through, I think Barca will slaughter you guys.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I'd also like to point out that it is almost certain Messi has a micropenis because of his growth hormone deficiency.

 

[Sir Calumn]

It would be stupid to play tiki-taka against Barca, play a style that gives you a chance to win. I'd say your average player has 4 inches and 30 pounds on their counterpart.

Oh yeah, I am sure we will. If AVB had still been in charge, we would have tried to match Barca's style and been humiliated in the process. Of course, if AVB were still in charge we would not be playing in a Champions League semi-final.

Cesc being a patronizing **** about Chelsea's style http://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...-long-ball-game-insists-fabregas-3083763.html

 

[Sir Calumn]

Drogba then, or Sturridge or anyone else, just do it.

Although I hope to God Chelsea wins it and goes through, I think Barca will slaughter you guys.

Drogba hatrick, Messi stretchered off in the 13th minute after a murderous tackle from Ashley Cole for which he receives a yellow card.....

 

[4ndr3i]

That would make my night.

And is Fabregas even playing tonight, or will he sit on the bench as usual?

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I would not object as long as Messi is healthy for the opening of next season. Don't need him breaking Der Bomber's record after all.

 

[Sir Calumn]

That would make my night.

And is Fabregas even playing tonight, or will he sit on the bench as usual?

It's predicted he will start, which makes sense as he has more experience of playing against the Chelsea veterans than the rest of the Barca side.

 

[Filipower]

Barça will murder them.

Having said that, it'd be brilliant if Barça were robbed as **** and then Meireles scored a winner on the 90th minute. Alexis could shout "it's a ******* disgrace" and all.

 

[Arnau]

That would make my night.

And is Fabregas even playing tonight, or will he sit on the bench as usual?

You don't watch many Barça games, don't you?

 

[4ndr3i]

You don't watch many Barça games, don't you?

No, not really, they bore me. Why, is he a regular starter for you guys?

 

[Sir Calumn]

You don't watch many Barça games, don't you?

Who in their right mind would?

 

[Mandieta6]

Kalou over Sturridge makes sense, since Kalou tracks back more, which is why Sturridge has been benched under Di Matteo. I expect Ramires on the left like against Maggio and Drogba over Torres. With that I hope we force them wide, congest the middle of the pitch and punt it long to Drogs. Ramires to subdue Alves and use his tirelessness to take advantage of Alves' attacks, and generally hope for a stop-start match, with lots of corner for us. I really think that Drogba, Terry, Cahill and Ivanovic have got a good shot at getting a set-piece goal against Puyol, Pique and Busquets.

I'd like to see Mata rested and Meireles or Essien coming in. Don't see much use for Mata in this match, but he could really help against Arsenal.

Watching this at home with my Spanish friends, hoping this won't be a repeat of the last time I watched a Barca-Chelsea semifinal this way.

Cautiously optimistic and hoping for a 1-0, and generally stop them from scoring. Then park the bus in Camp Nou, and even if they score, keep pushing for the aggregate victory.

 

[Sir Calumn]

Chelsea starting eleven:

P. Cech
B. Ivanovic
G. Cahill
J. Terry
A. Cole
J. Mikel
F. Lampard
Raul Meireles
J. Mata
Ramires
D. Drogba

No Sturridge or Kalou! Kind of glad to see Meireles there, at least he can produce magic goals and we might need a magic goal...

I'm heading off to the pub now so I'll wish us a final good luck on SG and hope to be a happy man in three hours time!

 

[Ebonix]

Meireles can be an absolute c**t as well. He knows how to maximize his fouls too cards ratio, which is exactly what you need tonight.

Just shoot on site, Valdes is the worst keeper in the Champions League.