Champs League

[Samilktray]

Could well do, but:

Who stops henry and eto'o then?

Just unsettle them with a few hard challenges early on, I reckon that could be Barcas downfall.

But neither are through yet, so the tie might not even happen.

[welck12]

Just unsettle them with a few hard challenges early on, I reckon that could be Barcas downfall.

But neither are through yet, so the tie might not even happen.

I always thought just give them a kick and they'll wuss out, but having seen the elbow to the face that messi took last night makes me think differently now

Have to wait and see i guess

[Darkzzz_]

Chelsea or Liverpool will be a tough game for Barca, But Chelsea haven't "Destroyed" Barca yet and I doubt they would do it this time. They may well beat Barca in the battle of tactics, I like Hiddink I think he is a great manager. But football wise, not a chance, If Barca play anywhere near top form they could blow anyone away. I know it is difficult for many people to comprehend that because Barca are not English.

I just hope Chelsea finish Liverpool off, the amount of Scouse fans that I have heard from this morning, delusion doesn't justify it !

Essien I applaud you, what a player!

[Uncle Albert]

If barca play anywhere near as good as they did last night chelsea wont get a sniff of the ball

Barce would be too Flimsy to have any real impact against Chelsea.

Terry Vs Messi?

Back pocket job for John.

Correct.

Barcelona will piss all over Chelsea if they both get through.

Could well do, but:

Who stops henry and eto'o then?

Terry, Ivanovic, Carvalho, Alex, Ashley Cole or Bosingwa.

Chelsea or Liverpool will be a tough game for Barca, But Chelsea haven't "Destroyed" Barca yet and I doubt they would do it this time. They may well beat Barca in the battle of tactics, I like Hiddink I think he is a great manager. But football wise, not a chance, If Barca play anywhere near top form they could blow anyone away. I know it is difficult for many people to comprehend that because Barca are not English.

Barca were meant to blow United away last season and Liverpool the season before that but it didnt happen, Barca do well against teams like Lyon, Bayern and all the others but sorry they just cant cut it when they play the English teams, they beat Arsenal in the Final but thats because Arsenal play the same style as them and in recent years we have seen that Arsenal cant cut it either.

I'm not just saying this to wind you all up but I honestly think Barca are a very overated team.

[Father Ted]

Are you actually of Serbian origin or do you just have some weird boner for Slavic footballers?

Serbian origin

[Corky]

Wouldn't rule out Liverpool just yet. An early goal will make it interesting.

[welck12]

Sorry Albert i'm with Nathko on this one. If you watched the barca game last night you would see why. The player and ball movement last night was unbelieveable, if it wasent for about 3/4 near goal line clearances and their keeper taking one for the team (henrys boot in his face) it would have been a lot worse. It wasent just that but also the barca's players determination to close down the ball when they lost it was something they havent done in many a year, which i think is the main difference and reason i'm picking them for once. Dont forget the fact that this barca team is in course to set a record for the most goals ever scored in the spanish league in one season; which is no mean feat when you look at some of the great spanish teams of yester year.

Terry may well be able to close down messi, but if he's doing that carvalho cant just hug eto'o all game (his usual defending style), alex is brazilian (we all know how great they are at defending), bosingwa is a great attacking full back shame about his defending. Ivanovic i've not really seen much off so not going to comment. And cole is just an overated whinging school girl, who couldnt stop henry at arsenal so why should he be able to now.

If barca turn this into a fast paced game then they will run rings around most of the chelsea squad (essien excluded, being the beast that he is)

Thats all assuming that both teams go through of course

[Samilktray]

And cole is just an overated whinging school girl

But still the best left back in the world on his day.

[Darkzzz_]

Barca were meant to blow United away last season and Liverpool the season before that but it didnt happen, Barca do well against teams like Lyon, Bayern and all the others but sorry they just cant cut it when they play the English teams, they beat Arsenal in the Final but thats because Arsenal play the same style as them and in recent years we have seen that Arsenal cant cut it either.

I'm not just saying this to wind you all up but I honestly think Barca are a very overated team.

You would be wasting your time even if you were because I'm not too fussed. Your opinion isn't it. I know how much your a Premier League fan boy so I wouldn't even give a argument the time of day Albert.

But I will however say this:

United beat Barcelona fair and square although I have never seen a United team play so defensive as they did that night. The Liverpool game was similar, Barca even I would admit were very poor that season, rebuilding from the glorious 2006 squad and Liverpool did a great job on them and deserved to go on to lose to Milan in the final that year.

I watch football to see teams attack and play beautiful football, this season they have done that. 85 goals in La Liga and 28 goals in the CL back that up.

If you read many of the articles about Barcelona this season it isn't me that is raving about them, the journalists are too, I am even surprised to see how many of the English ones are, because they are all Premier League fan boys too.

Will they win the CL? I am not going to sit here and say they will because you just never know, you obviously know a lot about football to say that Chelsea will destroy them and going by many of your predictions you sure know your stuff.

[lildave3]

I'm very confident of Chelsea being able to beat Barca.

Bayern were shit last night, and had no defence. They won't be able to just walk through Chelsea like that.

[welck12]

But still the best left back in the world on his day.

If he spent half as much time defending as he does b*tching to the refs; then yes, yes he would

[Uncle Albert]

Sorry Albert i'm with Nathko on this one. If you watched the barca game last night you would see why. The player and ball movement last night was unbelieveable, if it wasent for about 3/4 near goal line clearances and their keeper taking one for the team (henrys boot in his face) it would have been a lot worse. It wasent just that but also the barca's players determination to close down the ball when they lost it was something they havent done in many a year, which i think is the main difference and reason i'm picking them for once. Dont forget the fact that this barca team is in course to set a record for the most goals ever scored in the spanish league in one season; which is no mean feat when you look at some of the great spanish teams of yester year.

Terry may well be able to close down messi, but if he's doing that carvalho cant just hug eto'o all game (his usual defending style), alex is brazilian (we all know how great they are at defending), bosingwa is a great attacking full back shame about his defending. Ivanovic i've not really seen much off so not going to comment. And cole is just an overated whinging school girl, who couldnt stop henry at arsenal so why should he be able to now.

If barca turn this into a fast paced game then they will run rings around most of the chelsea squad (essien excluded, being the beast that he is)

Thats all assuming that both teams go through of course

Barca are scoring a lot of goals in one of the worst leagues in the world! WBA could bang a few in, in that league.

Barca couldnt run rings around a weaker Chelsea team a few years back so I cant see it happening this time either, Chelsea last night meant business and they did it to probably one of the best Champions League team in the last 4/5 years in Liverpool.

You are only going on about Barca as an attacking team, which is great when you can say names like Messi and Eto'o but their defence is nothing but shoddy. Daniel Alves is like Bosingwa yea great attacking but not the best at defending, Puyol is about as useful as a whole in a parachute and dont get me started on their left back. You say Ashley Cole is overated? Fuck me. Drogba, Anelka, Malouda, Kalou, Lampard and Ballack would have a feild day breaking them down.

Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise bagged against Barca so it wont be much more difficult for Drogba and co. I cant believe how overated they are, for saying they are such a good team they have won the Champions League once in recent years and no other finals and they scraped a Final win against a 10 man Arsenal team. Big wow!

[Darkzzz_]

Barca are scoring a lot of goals in one of the worst leagues in the world! WBA could bang a few in, in that league.

Barca couldnt run rings around a weaker Chelsea team a few years back so I cant see it happening this time either, Chelsea last night meant business and they did it to probably one of the best Champions League team in the last 4/5 years in Liverpool.

You are only going on about Barca as an attacking team, which is great when you can say names like Messi and Eto'o but their defence is nothing but shoddy. Daniel Alves is like Bosingwa yea great attacking but not the best at defending, Puyol is about as useful as a whole in a parachute and dont get me started on their left back. You say Ashley Cole is overated? fook me. Drogba, Anelka, Malouda, Kalou, Lampard and Ballack would have a feild day breaking them down.

Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise bagged against Barca so it wont be much more difficult for Drogba and co. I cant believe how overated they are, for saying they are such a good team they have one the Champions League once and they scraped a win against a 10 men Arsenal team. Big wow!

A valid comeback by you as usual.

Barca have won it twice just so you know that for next time.

Believe me, I am there biggest critic pal, Barca aren't great at the back, hence why I have said numerous times they try to outscore teams.

I never said anything about Ashley Cole although, Maldini in his prime or Cole... hmmmm... tough one!!

You really do have huge problems accepting when non English teams are good. It is funny and as for the La Liga comment, I am not even going to get into that, you obviously have your big eyes all over every league.

Edit: I liked how you checked wikipedia to edit the Barca champions league bit. Correct me if I am wrong but haven't your beloved Liverpool only won it once in recent years too??

[welck12]

Barca couldnt run rings around a weaker Chelsea team a few years back so I cant see it happening this time either, Chelsea last night meant business and they did it to probably one of the best Champions League team in the last 4/5 years in Liverpool.

Surprisingly the squad from few years back is differant to this one; just like chelsea's is.

Plus i dont recall saying anything about barca having a great defence, everyone knows they never have and probarly never will do. I'm not going to disagree that chelsea's defence is better than barca's, it probarly is. I just see this game (if it happens) coming down to a battle of whichever teams take their chances. And i can see barca taking (as well as creating more) chances than chelsea, hence why i think there gonna win.

[Samilktray]

I think people are overlooking some of the quality going forward that Chelsea have.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Barca / Chelsea would be a good one.

I don't think either team would "dick" all over each other either way though, they are both pretty much evely matched, although Chelsea's defence certainly looks alot stronger on paper.

Chelsea are a class above alot of teams when Essien plays, the chasm in quality between him and Mikel is unreal. If Barca let Chelsea pass it amongst themselves in midfield and give them freedom to move, I can't see anything other than a Chelsea win.

Likewise, if Chelsea give Messi any kind of space, he'll unsettle them with ease. John Terry is not one for dealing with that kind of player, Carvalho does alot of covering for him.

It could go either way, but it would be a good watch.

[Darkzzz_]

I think people are overlooking some of the quality going forward that Chelsea have.

I am certainly not. Chelsea are quality. Hiddink has a great squad there, I even said to my mate last night who is a Chelsea fan and went to the game, "I think this is the year for Chelsea"

[welck12]

I'm not gonna argue chelsea's attack is good, that would be retarted to do. I just feel that barca's is better and its going to come down to the team that takes their chances. To me thats barca over chelsea

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I'm not gonna argue chelsea's attack is good, that would be retarted to do. I just feel that barca's is better and its going to come down to the team that takes their chances. To me thats barca over chelsea

I guess that's a matter of opinion. Take Messi out of the equation and Barca's attack is not that much greater than Chelsea's, if not, weaker.

Bosingwa and Cole also contribute alot to Chelsea going forward, and both are twice the player Eric Abidal could ever wish to be.

[Darkzzz_]

Another quick stat:

4 English teams: 10 English players featured

2 Spanish teams: 12 Spanish players featured.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Another quick stat:

4 English teams: 10 English players featured

2 Spanish teams: 12 Spanish players featured.

Quality over quantity.

[Darkzzz_]

I guess that's a matter of opinion. Take Messi out of the equation and Barca's attack is not that much greater than Chelsea's, if not, weaker.

Bosingwa and Cole also contribute alot to Chelsea going forward, and both are twice the player Eric Abidal could ever wish to be.

Ahh.. A sensible post. You may well be correct, although I personally believe without Messi they create a lot still, it is actually Xavi and Iniesta who are the two any team would want. The amount of assists thes two put on for people is unreal. Eto'o is better than Drogba too in my opinion, he is lethal on his day.

And as for Abidal... Possibly up there with the signing of Maxi Lopez.

Quality over quantity.

[Uncle Albert]

A valid comeback by you as usual.

Barca have won it twice just so you know that for next time.

Believe me, I am there biggest critic pal, Barca aren't great at the back, hence why I have said numerous times they try to outscore teams.

I never said anything about Ashley Cole although, Maldini in his prime or Cole... hmmmm... tough one!!

You really do have huge problems accepting when non English teams are good. It is funny and as for the La Liga comment, I am not even going to get into that, you obviously have your big eyes all over every league.

Edit: I liked how you checked wikipedia to edit the Barca champions league bit. Correct me if I am wrong but haven't your beloved Liverpool only won it once in recent years too??

I didnt have to check Wikipedia to realise how many times they had won the Champs League, twice for a super club is pretty lame. But thats another debate. Koeman did score a tastey free kick in that game.

Why bring Maldini in to a debate about Chelsea and Barca? Last time I checked Maldini was contracted to Milan.

I dont have a problem I just know that the Premier League is a much better League to be honest and this shows in the Champions League. An English team has been in every final since 2005 and winning 2 of them. Spain have had one and beat a 10 man English team in it, and calling them English is some what controversial. Liverpool smashed Real Madrid 5-0 this year and they are second in La Liga! Shows the difference in class.

Anyways we will have to just wait and see until the Semi's because one of us will be eating our words.

Yea Liverpool in recent years have one it once but they have been in more finals and semi finals than Barca in recent years.

And as usual that was another valid reply from yourself.

[welck12]

I guess that's a matter of opinion. Take Messi out of the equation and Barca's attack is not that much greater than Chelsea's, if not, weaker.

Unfortunatly unless messi picks up a booking or gets crippled he'll be in the equation.

Eto'o is better than Drogba too in my opinion, he is lethal on his day.

Would have to say that drogba and eto'o are pretty much the same for me. Both off them on there day are lethal and any team would want them. I wouldnt want to pick between the two of them though.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Ahh.. A sensible post. You may well be correct, although I personally believe without Messi they create a lot still, it is actually Xavi and Iniesta who are the two any team would want. The amount of assists thes two put on for people is unreal. Eto'o is better than Drogba too in my opinion, he is lethal on his day.

And as for Abidal... Possibly up there with the signing of Maxi Lopez.

Yeah it's all about opinion I suppose. I don't see much La Liga but when I compare the two teams midfield / attacking wise I can see much between them:

Drogba

Anelka

Kalou

Malouda

Lampard

Essien

Ballack

Henry

Eto'o

Xavi

Iniesta

Hleb (?)

Messi

Gudjonsen

I've probably missed a few players from both teams tbh, but looking at that I can't see much difference in quality. I think Hleb's only been a bit part player since he's gone to Barca. I'd put Lampard in the same bracket as Xavi / Iniesta as well, the amoutn of goals he's gotten for Chelsea is obscene.

Drogba seems to have put his attitude problems behind him, and he's easily one of the deadliest marksmen in the world on his day, same with Anelka. But that's also true of Henry and Eto'o. I think it's about personal preference.

At least we're in agreement over Abidal. Mr.Shit.