CL Preview: Barcelona-Chelsea
“Go hard or go home” should be the title of today’s match. With one of these two Giants going home today, it should be interesting to see how this plays out.
BACKGROUND
To qualify for the next round Chelsea need to do what they (almost) never could with Mourinho. That is of course winning an away champions league game. Out of the 12 away Champions League games Chelsea have played, they have only won one. A recent two-nil win against Anderlecht.
Barcelona left the Champions League early last season as they didn't show up to play in the return leg last year. I am pretty sure they learned their lesson and will be ready to play on Tuesday.
As The Chelsea players arrived in Barcelona, they were verbally abused by waiting Barcelona fans. They even went to the extent of spitting at Mourinho’s bus window. Rijkaard had a lot to say before the match, to do with this incident and more:
“One of our players was insulted a few days ago and we were all concerned because that was not a nice situation and we have to make a stand against all kinds of aggression and abuse.
“I hope Barcelona fans are an example of fair play and give a round of applause to Jose Mourinho and his Chelsea squad when they come out.
“Remember, Mourinho worked at Barcelona and we all have good memories of him here.
“The best way is that no-one insults anybody in any way and we are going to be a good example in this sense.
“We want to go into the next round but yesterday I was watching Mourinho arrive and this was not good.
“It is a really good chance for us to show we can be respectful to the Chelsea team.
“When one of our players is insulted by abuse we back him and this is something that has to be improved in the football world.”
On the game, Rijkaard said: “We definitely have the advantage. The result is in our favour and we definitely want to go through to the next round.
“We can't compare it to last season. We have the confidence and we think we can do the job.”
CURRENT FORM (all competitions)
(Last game first)
Chelsea: WWLWLWWDD: Although Chelsea’s performances after the loss at Barcelona have both led to wins, they have been unconvincing and both of them had made me wonder whether they would play the same on Tuesday.
Barcelona: WWWLLWWW: Barcelona too racked up two wins after the Chelsea game but I solidly believe that they looked much more confident.
TEAM NEWS:
Chelsea:
Chelsea currently have two people unavailable through suspension - Michael Essien and Asier Del Horno. It will be interesting to see how Chelsea will adapt. Mourinho admitted that Barcelona have the advantage because of this:
“Barcelona have the advantage, not only in terms of the result but emotionally. But how many times in football have things changed?”
“I don't see it as my biggest challenge.”
“I have two suspended and I have to play without them but, with the players I have available, I will do my best.''
Barcelona:
Lionel Messi was angered by people, especially Mourinho and Chelsea, accusing him of diving:
“They claim I am an actor. They are wrong. I am a professional footballer and I have received many kicks this season. The actors are for the cinema and not for sport.”
“I do not want contact with Mourinho because he was deceptive with me through his behaviour. He should look at the bruises on my legs.”
“Del Horno has also had a lot to say about me but so he should because he got nowhere near me on the pitch until he fouled me.” Wordage..props messi!!
Deco was quoted as saying Barcelona were focused and were not listening to anything Mourinho or any Chelsea player had to say:
“They will want us to fall into their traps on and off the pitch but we cannot afford that.”
“Mourinho has created himself this `football personality' which he changes into when he wants to heat up a game or provoke opponents.”
“That's not what he is like as a man or a coach when you play for him. But he has his own way of preparing for big games like this.”
“We won't get involved in such foolishness. Our strength will be in playing our own game and repeating the level of concentration we showed in London.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Chelsea: Joe Cole: The player that used to just play some attractive football is now a very important member of the Chelsea squad. He was a victim in the last game as Del Horno's red card forced Mourinho to take out the winger and put on a defender. He should shine in Tuesday's game as he's been on a very good run recently for both club and country.
Barcelona: Samuel Eto’o: Deadly finishing is something the striker has always had. But recently the striker has come into a world of his own with some brilliant performances. He has excellent pace, good technique and superb positioning makes him an extremely dangerous striker.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs
Chelsea: Petr Cech, William Gallas, John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Paolo Ferreira, Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Joe Cole, Arjen Robben, Didier Drogba
Assuming Lampard is fit I expect Mourinho to field this formation. If he is announced as still injured, I believe Mourinho will either go with Maniche or Joe filling in that spot with Duff starting on wing.
Barcelona: Victor Valdes, Oleguer, Carles Puyol, Jose Gomes Edmilson, Giovanni Van Bronkhorst, Rafael Marquez, Thiago Motta, Deco, Messi, Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o. (WOW!!)
Rijkaard is likely to go with the midfield combination that worked really well at the bridge.
PREDICTION:
Chelsea will go into this game looking for a win because anything else won't satisfy them. This is probably the hardest task Jose and his men have come up against since he began his reign at West London. As for Barcelona, they just have to sit back and wait for Chelsea to open their ranks and hit them with the final blow. A reversal of roles is seen as Chelsea (the team that are known to defend well) need to score, and Barcelona (the team that are known to attack well) need to defend. Should be easy for Barcelona though. To Chelsea players: Go to Barcelona, have fun, enjoy the room service and spa because this will be your last away game in Europe. Barcelona are too hot to handle
Barcelona 2 Chelsea 0
Its on!!!!
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