Match Preview: Wednesday 18/10/2006 20:45 (GMT +2): Champions League, Group A, Match Day 3
CHELSEA FC - FC BARCELONA

Stamford Bridge, London – Capacity: 42.000
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (BEL)


Probable Line-Up:


Chelsea FC (4-4-2): Hilario - Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, A. Cole - Makelele, Essien, Lampard, Ballack - Drogba, Shevchenko - Manager: Jose Mourinho


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés - Zambrotta, Marquez, Puyol, Gio - Edmilson, Iniesta, Deco - Messi, Gudjohnsen, Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Match Preview:

Tonight, undoubtful, we will see the clash of this weeks UEFA Champions League competition between bitter rivals Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona. 3 seasons in a row, money bags Chelsea play the biggest football club in the world, FC Barcelona. All matches have been full of controversy, including sending-offs, penalties, accustions, mind games, manipulating pitches and doubtful goals. Main character and center of a heated build up prior to the games is hot-headed, former Barca assistant and translator of Bobby Robson, Jose Mou(th)rinho. The interest of the media and the world´s football fans is high and we all expect a fierce battle on the pitch.


The Barca fans have not forgotten about the bad "treatement" of their youngster Leo Messi by spanish defender Asier Del Horno for more than 20 minutes. as a result, Del Horno was correctly sent off and got his marching orders. Barca supporters have also not forgotten John Terry´s controversial goal, when Carvalho held Barca´s keeper Victor Valdes and was finally eliminated by a very doubtful goal.
The culés will also not forget Ronaldinho´s show (and exceptional goal) after falling 0-3 behind.

And, last but not least, there was always the discussion about the treatment of the pitch prior to the matches at Stamford Bridge.


This time the build up prior to the match is much cooler. Rijkaard suggest this is down to the serious injury of Petr Cech and Mourinho himself believes because neither team will be knocked out of the competition, if they lose.
Still, both managers, Rijkaard as well as Mourinho, are more than keen to win this match. The pressure is not much less. The winner will go top of the table and reputation is at stake. Chelsea is looking for revenge following last year's exit. It was probbaly hard to watch Barca reaching the Final in Paris and lifting the European Cup at the end.

Barca will be out to prove that last year´s deserved victory was not a one off. The barca team will wish that they will leave the pitch as winners and Chelsea will be able to keep all 11 players on the field.


Mourinho has a goalkeeper crisis on his hands after injuries to Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini at Reading on Saturday. Due to the serious injuries of first team keepers Cech and Cudicini, third and reserve team goalkeeper Portuguese Henrique Hilario will start the match with Yves Makabu Ma Kalambay on the bench. All other field players are all available for selection. Other than that, he has all his main players available.
Not sure, if Mourinho will flood the midfield with combative midfielder´s Makelele, Essien, Lampard and Ballack or if he will copy Barca´s attacking style and drop one midfielder for forward Robben alongside Drogba and Shevchenko.


FC Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard is without top striker Samuel Eto'o and Championsleague hero Juliano Belletti. Eto'o will most likely be replaced by former Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen and Belletti by Italian Gianluca Zambrotta. the back four should be clear with Zambrotta, Marquez, Puyol and Gio, who had been rested for the match against Sevilla. The holding midfield role could be taken by Edmilson (rested against Sevilla). The other two spots in midfield, should be covered by Deco (rested) and Xavi (may be Iniesta). Messi will get a run out after last year´s performance in the first leg and his sad exit in the second leg. Ronaldinho is set. Gudjohnsen is favoured to be in the starting line up but may be Rijkaard will surprise Chelsea with the fast Saviola upfront.


Supposingly, Ezquerro and Sylvinho will be dropped from the 20 men squad, due to the fact that Barca can only have 7 players on the bench.


All in all, we see a star-studded encounter with some of the finest players in the world.


My Prediction:

We are ready for a fine match tonight. As Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes expressed yesterday, I also believe that Barca is the better team. We have the better individuals in the squad and work better as a team.
I was missing Mourinho´s complaints and mind games a bit but may be he saves it for the second leg.

as I mentioned after the Sevilla match, I will be relaxed and sit back to watch an exciting encounter. I wish Ronaldinho brings on hios magic, because a stunning performance in a big match will help him to win the World´s Best Player Award. With 3 goals (1 penalty and 2 real crackers) in 4 matches, he is the top scorer of the last encounters. With his fantastic performance against Sevilla last Sunday he let us know that he is back and up for a great magical show.
For Messi, i hope he scores and silence Mourinho´s "theatralic" antics after Del Horno´s red card. Unfortunately he could not give is answer right away in the second leg because he got injured just after 15 minutes. But he will be ready tonight. I am sure!

I wish Gudjohnsen a good reception and welcome by the Chelsea supporters and of course, a goal against his former squad, to prove that it was a mistake to sell him just for a bigger name.


Chelsea FC - FC Barcelona 1:3
Ronaldinho will shine and score. Messi and Gudjohnsen will finish them off!


Visca el Barca!