Champions League - Barcelona vs Chelsea

[Adi]

Champions League - Semi Final

Barcelona vs Chelsea

[Royal Freakiness]

i'm for barca
but i believe chelsea is a huge threat
I hope barca goes through
a final against bayern OR real would be great.

[jabarinho]

nah i don't think chelsea have any chance here. It's true chelsea have improved a lot, especially in defence, but they will crumble under the barca pressure in the same way that Milan crumbled.

Chelsea don't have the quality to win this.

[Adi]

Chelsea under Mourinho was a real threat to Barca, but without him, I don't think they have a chance.  I think Barca will kill them in possession and opportunities.  Chelsea is gonna have to get very lucky to get something out of this.

Apparently, Torres has scored more goals against Barca than any other club team.

[alexfs]

barcelona is still the strongest team in europe: no doubt about that
however this season its players seem to be not as motivated (?) idk
i am sure they'll be playing at 100% vs chelsea

tbh i really like di matteo so far.. so if chelsea wins - then most likely he will be their coach for the next season
i think abramovich should give him a chance

[jabarinho]

yeh barcelona don't look invincible anymore but i still think they are far better than chelsea.

Di Matteo has changed chelsea completely though. They never would have reached the semifinal with Villas Boas.

[Adi]

I think they've had some injuries.  They're also trying to rest some individuals while trying to work in youngsters.  Every now and then you see random youngsters from their reserve team... insane quality despite being in the younger team.

If all their starters are on the pitch, they are still unbeatable 99.5% of the time.

Barcelona is easily the greatest team of our generation/

[Damiano]

Its been tough for Chelsea, schedule wise - tough game where we bossed tottenham, i don't know how the game vs barca goes, they'll want to make sure they don't concede any away goals - put mikel, essien or someone on messi haha
i have faith they have to ability to win, we will see on the night!
sure barca are the 'greatest team' but they are not infallible!

[Adi]

Problem putting Essien/Mikel on Messi is that they don't play in a position to defend him solely.

It's gonna have to be a team effort. Messi floats around and finds space out wide, top of the box, or in midfield. He gets between the lines very well. Chelsea will have to be on top of things. Essien and Mikel must be aware of Messi and Xavi. Problem is when you step high on Xavi, Messi is free in space in behind. It's a fine line. Chelsea will have to be aware of where they are and must be on the same page when Messi gets into Essiens space. He's gotta be there for the switch. If he's too late, Messi is free.

[Damiano]

as a chelsea fan



 

[Royal Freakiness]

i knew it
i had a huge feeling barca would lose 

[Adi]

This new Chelsea is back to its best.  Their new manager knows what they can and can't do.  Old manager tried to play posession ball but Chelsea doesn't have the midfield for that.

Now they're back to defending, booting the ball, and counter attacking.  Drogba will be essential now that they're going to the target man so much and playing off him.  Chelsea will finish the season strong, no doubt.

Barca should win at home though.  Anything can happen and 1-0 is a hell of a result for Chelsea.  I see Barca winning 2:0 or 3:1 at home.

Gonna be a great 2nd leg.