Match Preview: Wednesday 21/02/2007 20:45 (GMT +1): UEFA Champions League - Quarterfinal, First Leg


FC BARCELONA - LIVERPOOL FC
Camp Nou, Barcelona – Capacity: 99.000

Referee: Kyros Vassaras


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Oleguer (Belletti), Thuram, Puyol, Zambrotta (Gio) - Marquez (Motta), Deco, Xavi (Iniesta) - Messi, Saviola (Gudjohnsen), Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Liverpool FC (4-5-1): Reina – Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise – Finnan, Gerrard, Sissoko, Alonso, Aurelio (Zenden) – Crouch (Kuyt) - Manager: Rafael Benitez


Match Preview:
Today is the day, the mother of all matches in this round of last 16 in this year´s UEFA Champions League campaign, we waited so long.


The Camp Nou will be full when current European Champions FC Barcelona take on previous winners of 2005 Liverpool FC.

A match with a lot of Spanish influence. First of all, there is the manager, Spanish national Rafa Benitez. Further, we have former Barca goalkeeper and Catalan Josep Reina. In midfield, there will be a great battle between Spanish international Xavi Alonso (alongside Liverpool star Steven Gerrard) and Spain team mate and Barca midfielder Xavi Hernandez. Probably we also see new signing Alvaro Arbeloa as right back, who will be the shadow of Ronaldinho for this game. He will probably try to follow Ronaldinho even into the Barca changing room at half time.


Both team´s had to deal with a bit of media sensation prior to the clash. Barca had to manage the "Case Eto´o" that should be closed now, while Rafa Benitez had a set back in their preparation for the big match, when most of the Liverpool team kept the Portuguese police busy at night. Oh, yes, I nearly forgot, both teams are really united and show great team spirit. For me, a bit difficult to believe, when Craig Bellamy hacks Riise´s legs with a Golf Club. But may be, I just missed something and this is the usual ceremony of a Welsh "Nutter with the Putter" showing his amicable team spirit to his Norwegian team mate. Different, but may be just the right thing to do, to get fired up for the match of the matches?


I am convinced, once the teams will step out tonight at Camp Nou in front of over 90,000 spectators, all the pre-match antics will be forgotten, at least for the next 90 minutes.


For the tactics, it will be very simple. Liverpool will not come out tonight and commit suicide and try to play open attacking football, just to please the nearly 100,000 supporters. They will try, like on all occassions before they played at Camp Nou, not to concede a goal and want to get away with a result good enough to turn around at Anfield. They will sit back and crowd the midfield, trying to keep Barca away from there goal and hit the European Champions deadly with one of their counter attacks. Another way to beat the Barca defence is on standards. Barca have been weak this season in standard situation against them. FC Barcelona conceded a lot of goals after corners or free kicks outside the penalty box.


FC Barcelona will play their usual passing game. With fast and flowing, one touch football, the team will try to slice open the Liverpool defence lines. Barca will attack, but with a controlled approach, to break Liverpool´s Camp Nou record, of conceding 0 goals in 3 matches so far.
I believe, Frank Rijkaard´s first target is not to concede a goal and then trying to score at least one. Rijkaard will know that it would be wrong, thinking, Barca has to win this match with a decent margin to go to Anfield. I am sure he has confidence enough in his team and knows that Barca can score on any ground, if necessary. But of course, a good result tnight, makes life more easier.


The spectators might not see the open play, we all hope for, but surely it will be an exciting encounter with a tough battle all around the pitch.


The surprise team news of the Barca squad was, that Rijkaard did not nominate Samuel Eto´o and Edmilson for the Liverpool clash. Considering, that he can not be completely match fit, after only 5 minutes against osasuna, may be it is a wise decision. On the other hand, a roaring lion Eto´o who is let out of his cage, could be able to tear apart any defence.

So, I guess, we have to let the untamed lion lose at Anfield.
Edmilson being left out is alos a big surprise, but in my opinion not a bad decision. Edmilson´s performance lately, but especially against Valencia was a disaster. His defending was poor (I am kind here) and I think he just deserves the rest.

However, French defender Lilian Thuram has passed the fitness test and might be thrown straight in the starting line-up alongside barca captain Carlos Puyol. thuram seems to me the only alternative to play against giant "robotman" Peter Crouch. Next to Thuram and Puyol, should start Oleguer on the right and Zambrotta on the left full back position. Oleguer as the more defensive option to European Cup hero Belletti, who might come on, when Barca needs some more attacking power over the right wing. Gio will only start, if Zambrotta would be moved to the right by Rijkaard for this match.
the midfield should be anchored by Mexican Rafa Marquez, assisted by Xavi and Deco, who will power the Barca engine room. Marquez will probably keep an eye on Liverpool´s midfield star Steven Gerrard. Deco and Xavi will be running the Barca show, with probably Messi and definetely Ronaldinho responsible for the magic touches. But who will play in the centre of the attack. Here we have sevaral options:


a) Gudjohnsen, just for his aerial strength and Premiership experience


b) Saviola, for his goal scoring record and ideal to make his name, the "Conejo" (rabbit) proud, being able to run around the less agile and tall Liverpool defenders Carragher and Hyppia and to keep the opponent´s defence busy


c) Leo Messi, when "sweet" Iniesta will keep his job on the right wing


Due to the fact that Barca coach Frank Rijkaard is a superb tactician, he could even leave out Xavi and play Iniesta on his position. Why?

One thing that characterized Rafa Benitez’s clashes with FC Barcelona, while working as manager in Valencia, was the fact that he always marked Xavi heavily. But may be, this goes to far, knowing that Rijkaard will not look at his opponents tactics, but trying to force the others to adapt to Barca´s game.


Rafa Benitez will surely field a very defensive orientated side. He will well be aware to the big Camp Nou pitch and he will try to make spaces very tight for the barca attack. He will try to man mark the inspirational Barca players, that have that magic touch, Ronaldinho and Messi on the wings. Riise on the left and Arbeloa on the right could get this job, while Aurelio and Finnan will guard the spaces. No question Xabi Alonso will partner Steven Gerrard in midfield. Probably Benitez will only field one striker (Crouch, Kuyt or even Bellamy) and add an additional midfielder in Momo Sissoko.


My Prediction:
Rafa Benitez, as usual, will park a few busses in front of the Liverpool goal. His aim will be frustrate Barca and hopes this will turn the critical part of the crowd around. He will then try to look to score on the break or with set pieces. He will be happy to get away with a 0-0 draw to keep the door open for a "Final" in front of the home crowd at Anfield.


I am not sure, if this works out well. Barca is able to score against any team and wherever they play. Too often they have turned the tie in the away matches. as they did in "001/2002 the only Champions League encounter between the two big teams so far. Barca stormed anfield in a 3-1 victory.


But having said this, all the stats and history is over, as soon as the starting whistle has been blown by the ref. Anything will be possible on this day! - But whatever happens tonight, "it ain´t over" until the second leg is finished at Anfield.


I hope, it will be a great football to remember. Millions of football fans will watch tonight the "mother of all matches", when European Cup winner 2006 meets European Cup winner 2005.


Barca´s advantage could be the Camp Nou, as much the more than 90,000 crowd as the wide pitch. Difficult to believe Barca could lose on such an important night. Barca scored 5 goals in 3 home games against the Chelsea defence. So, i believe Liverpools record of conceding 0 goals is gone by tonight. Messi will be the key to success. Bara will win!


FC Barcelona - Liverpool 2:0



Visca el Barca!