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Barca vs. Man Utd (first leg)

  • 20-04-2008 01:50AM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭


    Barca with huge injury problems. Messi and Deco just returning to fitness. Ronaldinho out injuried. Iniesta struggling. Puyol suspended.
    Probably isn't a better time to play Barca.

    People seem to be thinking United are going to win somewhat easily, I think it'll be a really tight tie. This leg I think it'll be a score draw.

    Barca vs. Man Utd 114 votes

    Man Utd
    0% 0 votes
    Barca
    13% 15 votes
    Draw
    31% 36 votes
    Man Utd (Utd fans)
    31% 36 votes
    Barca (Barca fans)
    23% 27 votes


«13456719

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,442 ✭✭✭✭jesus_thats_gre


    I am am pretty certain that United will progress to the finals purely because they can defend.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 21,296 ✭✭✭✭gimmick


    Ronaldinho missing is actually a good thing for Barca. Deco possibly not playing is ditto. Messi was only given 45 minutes tonight. He looked well sharp.

    Barcas back 4 will most likely be

    Silvinho.....Milito....Marquez....Zambrotta

    Hard to call. Centre halves have been very hot and cold this season.

    Barca Midfield three

    Yaya....Xavi...Iniesta

    Barca 3 strikers/2 wingers, 1 striker

    Henry.....Messi.....Eto'o


    I know I am leaving out Bojan, but for a game this big, it needs experienced players.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,643 ✭✭✭✭Mr.Nice Guy


    I think it will be a great game with plenty of chances. I'd like to see United take a lead to OT but I reckon it might end a draw in the end. Maybe 1-1.


  • Moderators, Regional North East Moderators Posts: 12,742 Mod ✭✭✭✭cournioni


    I'm hoping for a score draw and to take em back to Old Trafford and win it there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,727 ✭✭✭✭Sherifu


    I could see barca winning 1-0 at home.

    Why isn't the poll public like the other one?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭PHB


    I forgot to click it :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,727 ✭✭✭✭Sherifu


    Sucks to be you :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,046 ✭✭✭eZe^


    Im loving 'Barca- Barca fans', as if there's plenty of them on this forum... You may aswell have wrote 'Barca- Barca fan'... And Im quite drunk, so Im going for a barca win for some stupidly odd reason.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    Do I count as a Barca fan? I'm certainly not a neutral in this tie!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,046 ✭✭✭eZe^


    Xavi my good man, lets root for the mighty Blaugrana! :D


    Ves-te'n a prendre pel cul Manchester, maricon....


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,227 ✭✭✭✭Guy:Incognito


    Not sure about the leg itself but it's hard to look past Utd for the tie.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,604 ✭✭✭herbieflowers


    PHB wrote: »

    People seem to be thinking United are going to win somewhat easily, I think it'll be a really tight tie. This leg I think it'll be a score draw.


    Yeah I don't think you can underestimate them, they've got too much attacking talent and form doesn't (always) matter, it's a two-leg knockout after all...although I didn't know Puyol was out :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,246 ✭✭✭ROCKMAN


    Think over the two legs Utd will shade it, The second leg been in OT is vital.
    The First leg will be very close maybe even 1-0 to Barca , a result we can over turn in the second leg, but I am hoping for a score draw. But it will rest will the team and format Utd put out in the first leg. If we show no fear and start with 4-4-2 I think we could even win it but with Fergie's team selection History in Europe I can hardly see a starting format of 4-4-2 (only thing giving me hope is Fergie interview after Roma game where he said it's time to go for it)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,953 ✭✭✭✭kryogen


    1-1 draw imo....and then a 2-2 draw at OT sending us out....that was my dream last night unfortunatly.....bit of a cold sweat on me when i woke up this morning!!!!

    if we go out and attack Barca aggressively we will win....i dont think it will happen in the first leg though


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,881 ✭✭✭bohsman


    Im a Barca fan in that Ill keep half an eye out for results and news, watch a few games on the barstool and try to get to a match a couple of times a year. Couldnt get a ticket for the Barca Madrid game when I was over for Christmas, glad I didnt bother going to a tout.

    Not sure about the semi, I think United will win as theyre more organised as a team, better defensively and a better team spirit. Really hope Barca hammer them tho.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    eZe^ wrote: »
    Im loving 'Barca- Barca fans', as if there's plenty of them on this forum... You may aswell have wrote 'Barca- Barca fan'... And Im quite drunk, so Im going for a barca win for some stupidly odd reason.

    I'm a Barca fan and if they beat Man United, I'd be terribly disappointed if they didn't win the cup.

    Admittingly, United are the team I have supported all my life mainly because I was not exposed to anything Barcelona related...the Barca support strongly began when Davids signed...then grew when they signed Ronaldinho...

    And now are easily my second favorite team in Europe...they can beat United if they want to. It just depends who shows up.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭Galvasean


    Hard to call. Either a score draw or a narrow Barca win with United bagging an away goal or two. United to progress on virtue of away goals rule.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,726 ✭✭✭kaisersose77


    cheesedude wrote: »
    Admittingly, United are the team I have supported all my life mainly because I was not exposed to anything Barcelona related...the Barca support strongly began when Davids signed...then grew when they signed Ronaldinho...


    Ronaldinho signed before Davids......


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,046 ✭✭✭eZe^


    Yaya was sooooooo solid last night, put on a fantastic defensive display and showed why he is in the top 5 DMF's in the world. He'll be vital in the coming years and especially against United, his physique will be needed to hassle the ball from the Carricks, Scholes, Andersons. Messi came on and did change the game, he sets up as many opportunities as he takes which means he is the heartbeat of the attack atm, Iniesta is so quick off the line, he has the fantastic passing ability of Xavi, but the quick acceleration and dribbling of Messi. He's definitely my favourite Barca player atm. I dont like that Thuram was rested completely, it means that he'll probably start against United, and hes seriously our worst CB. Marquez and Milito HAVE to start together, that was the partnership at the first 1/2 of the season that gave Barca one of the best defensive records in Europe. Sylvinho proved he is a better attacker than Abidal, but he is a bit more deficient compared to Abidal, so with C. Ronaldo invovled, it would be safer to play Abidal imo.


    The line up should be;

    VV
    --Zambo
    Marquez
    Milito
    Abidal--

    Toure

    Xavi
    Deco

    ----Messi
    Etoo
    Iniesta


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭PHB


    You don't think Henry will play? I really think if Barca have any sense they'll target our right flank to attack, just like I think if we've any sense, we'll target your left flank to attack.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,046 ✭✭✭eZe^


    Its not that Henry shouldn't play, its that other players should be picked ahead of him, if that makes sense. Iniesta is vital to our attack, and has proved he can play as a CM, AM or SS. Deco imo could be vital, he is the engine in midfield, and along with Yaya could be the physical element of the midfield, and with Xavi's passing ability, thats what we'll need if we want to dominate the midfield area. Deco offers something other midfielders don't, he defends and likes being a box to box player on occasion too. Henry and Bojan can easily be brought on to change the game. I also thing when we travel to OT, if we have a lead, we should play with 2 DMF's, Xavi and the same front 3. That way we will be more solid in midfield, but wont sacrifice too much passing quality.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭PHB


    No I understand why you think he shouldn't play, I'd agree, but just wondering if you think he won't play.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,046 ✭✭✭eZe^


    Oh, Im 100% sure pothead Frank will pick;


    VV

    --Zambo
    Thuram----Milito
    Abidal---

    Toure

    Xavi
    Iniesta

    ---Messi
    Etoo
    Henry----

    I would put 50 euro on it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,456 ✭✭✭kida


    hopefully Fergie will go for the jugular in the first leg - would love to see Anderson and Tevez start so as to lot let Barca settle.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,920 ✭✭✭evad_lhorg


    kida wrote: »
    hopefully Fergie will go for the jugular in the first leg - would love to see Anderson and Tevez start so as to lot let Barca settle.

    Ye good luck with that one. :rolleyes: I am suprised so many people think Barca will win this one.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Ronaldinho signed before Davids......

    Sorry I got it all mixed up there! I meant that!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,442 ✭✭✭✭jesus_thats_gre


    If United really go at them like they can, they should advance. As we seen though, AF likes to **** around in Europe and make it as complicated as possible.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,442 ✭✭✭✭jesus_thats_gre


    cheesedude wrote: »
    Admittingly, United are the team I have supported all my life mainly because I was not exposed to anything Barcelona related...the Barca support strongly began when Davids signed...then grew when they signed Ronaldinho...
    Ronaldinho signed before Davids......
    cheesedude wrote: »
    Sorry I got it all mixed up there! I meant that!

    You sorta liked them after signing Ronaldinho and then really really liked them after signing Davids?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 48,606 ✭✭✭✭Mitch Connor


    of the 3 teams in the semi's, Barcelona are the team i fear the most.

    Iniesta, Xavi, Messi, Eto'o, Henry, Bojan, Ronaldinho....just an awesome line up of players.

    Their form this season has not been great - they are beatable, but I don't doubt they can raise their game for the Champions League. It will be a very, very tough game for United, but it is the type of CL game i have been waiting for - it should be EPIC.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 697 ✭✭✭oobydooby


    eZe^ wrote: »

    The line up should be;

    VV
    --Zambo
    Marquez
    Milito
    Abidal--

    Toure

    Xavi
    Deco

    ----Messi
    Etoo
    Iniesta

    Wow, that's a cracking team (on paper). I've seen your later post you reckon pothead won't play Deco. Is Deco "injured" the same way as Ronnie or is there a chance that he might play?

    Really looking forward to this game, even though I'll be more anxious watching the Pool game (pool fan) this one has the makings of a classic.

    With a potential line-up like that, with 8 or 9 world-class players, it's really damning of Rijkaard that Barca are doing so poorly in La Liga.


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