Match Preview: Tuesday 31/10/2006 20:45 (GMT +2): Champions League, Group A, Match Day 4
FC BARCELONA - CHELSEA FC
Camp Nou, Barcelona – Capacity: 99.000
Referee: Stefano Farina
Probable Line-Up:
FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés - Belletti (Zambrotta), Marquez, Puyol, Gio - Edmilson, Xavi, Deco - Messi, Gudjohnsen (Saviola), Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard
Chelsea FC (4-4-2): Hilario - Bouhlarouz - Carvalho, Terry, Cole - Makelele, Essien, Ballack, Lampard - Drogba, Shevchenko (Kalou) - Manager: Jose Mourinho
Match Preview:
Barca are certainly favourites in their next two home games against Chelsea and Bremen. Barca, who won comfortably in their domestic league at the weekend and are back on the winning track. The Barca team has reached a high level again at the right time and will be determined to do themselves justice and prove a point on Tuesday.
We all are happy that Ronaldinho scored twice and hope that the Brazilian magician with the No. 10 will be as decisive as on Saturday and in the sort of form to cause serious trouble to Chelsea's defence.
Chelsea beat Barca 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in a game that lacked much of the passion and excitement of previous meetings between the two teams.
To be fair, this was more down to a below average performance of a Barca that never got put of the second gear. Chelsea scored a surprising goal just 1 minute after the kick-off of the second half, while the Barca defence seemed already with their thoughts at the "El Classico" against Real in Bernabeu. The 1-0 lead played Chelsea right into the cards of their defensive, counter attacking tactics. On this day, Barca was just not good enough to turn the match around.
For sure, this time we will see a different Barca team that will be focussed and determined to win. The pressure is surely on FC Barcelona, but Barca would not be Barca, if they could not handle the pressure. The situation is clear. Chelsea is top of the table on 9 points. A win at Camp Nou guarantees them a place in the round of the last 16 teams. If Werder Bremen loses at the same time in Sofia, Chelsea would be even guaranteed to go through as first of the group. Barca only on 4 points, level with Germans Werder Bremen, is desperate for the 3 points. First, to prove a point to Chelsea, who is the better team and second, to go with an advantage into the next game against Werder Bremen, which will have the character of a final.
Anything but a win is unacceptable for FC Barcelona and Barca are not going to settle for anything less. Chelsea just do not have the same class than Barca, who hopefully display their controlling one-touch football and give the Chelski´s a good run for their money (and they actually have a lot of it!). If Barca does not concede a surprising early goal I can just not see how Chelsea could stand a chance and walk away with even 1 point.
Barcelona versus Chelsea has been something special in the last years and usually provided some exstra spice by the outrageous pre-match comments, provided by former FC Barcelona translator to Bobby Robson and now Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. So, Mou(th)rinho tried to do it again by branding Chelsea´s former favourite Eidur Gudjohnsen a cheat and claiming that Barca is favoured by the referees. All the world knows Jose now, so nobody really takes it serious, what comes out of his mouth, but we all would like to hear what he says after the match. I, for sure, will listen to this!
Samuel Eto’o, Sylvinho, Ezquerro and Oleguer are the players that Frank Rijkaard left out for the match tonight. Barca youngster Lionel Messi returns to the squad and should be ready for this all important clash.
Belletti, who recovered from his shoulder injury is also available for selection and might start after his impressive performance last Saturday.
Frank Rijkaard called up the following squad: Valdes, Jorquera, Zambrotta, Thuram, Marquez, Puyol, Gio, Edmilson, Motta, Iniesta, Xavi, Deco, Giuly, Saviola, Ronaldinho, Messi, Gudjohnsen, Belletti.
Shevchenko and Drogba were both doubtful for this match but both trained fully on Monday and it looks that both could appear tonight, otherwise young Salomon Kalou is set for a start. Mourinho will probably give Portuguese goalkeeper Hilario a place in the starting line up and Cudicini will have to warm the bench. Otherwise we should not see many changes comapred to the first match at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago.
Chelsea´s squad against FC Barcelona: Hilario, Cudicini, A. Cole, Makelele, Essien, Carvalho, Shevchenko, Lampard, Boulahrouz, J. Cole, Drogba, Ballack, Gérémi, Robben, Bridge, Diarra, Ferreira, Kalou, Wright-Phillips, Terry.
Prediction:
Anythin else than a win would be a disappointment. Chelsea surely is a good team but just can not be compared with a Barca team, that has so much charisma and individual skill. We might lose once on a bad day, but we can not lose twice in a row. As a matter of fact, we can not afford to either!
As long as we do not receive an early goal Barca will be in control and once in the lead the Barca engine will not stop. This is a big match for Barca and I can really see that we could sent Chelsea home with a few goals in their luggage. I believe it will be a great result at the end of the evening and Ronaldinho will shine again to show the world who is No.1 but I will settle for a modest score:
FC Barcelona - Chelski 2:0
Visca el Barca!
