Barcelona (0) v Chelsea (1) - Semi Final UCL 2nd Leg, K/O 7:45 PM, Sky Sports 2

GavRedKing

No need for fancy graphics, game sells itself.

Chelsea hoping to get into their 2nd UCL final while Barcelona are trying to over turn a one goal deficit to reach the final and aim to become the first club since the competitions re-jig to retain the title.

Chelsea's one goal lead didnt do the 1st leg justice as Bacrelona had a number of chances to take at least 1 away goal back to the Camp Nou.

Resolute defending and luck resulted in Chelsea taking a one goal lead into the 2nd leg to the Camp Nou after a classic counter attack that caught Barcelona napping before the break.

A Chelsea goal will mean the tie cannot go to extra time or penalties.

Barcelona will be trying to get over the defeat to bitter rivals Real Madrid at the weekend in a fairly lack lusture performance, similar to the Chelsea game, although Barcelona failed to create half as many chances.

Pique was agin dropped by Guardiola and Sanchez and Cesc were left alongside him on the bench.

Chelsea warmed up by playing out a goalless draw away to Arsenal, when we we're pretty much 2nd best for the majority of the game.

Predictions Barcelona 3-1.

My head says a Barcelona win and to knock us out but my heart says a 2-1 Bacrelona victroy and we go through on away goals.

Either way, its going to be a good game.

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

MagicMarker

4-1

cgpg5

3-2 to Barca. Could even be more goals, can really see a goalfest tbh. Come on Chelsea though!

Nalz

Aquila wrote: »

As i said before and i'll say it again

CHELSEA FANS

BELIEVE

Out of pure curiosity who do you support?

Nalz

2-0, maybe 3-0 to Barca

Blatter

Chelsea will need a really strong ref to stand any chance, that's for sure.

MagicMarker

Is Drogba still injured?

Turtyturd

Hopefully Barca win but I would be ok with Chelsea going through on the condition Drogba picks up another yellow in this match. Can't see past a Barca win though, Chelsea defended to the best of their ability last week and Barca still carved out enough chance that they should be leading at least 3-1. Chelsea's luck won't hold out for another 90 minutes.

GavRedKing

Blatter wrote: »

Chelsea will need a really strong ref to stand any chance, that's for sure.

Definetly. Last week I thought the German ref was very good, hoping for a similar level of officiating.

cgpg5

Turtyturd wrote: »

Hopefully Barca win but I would be ok with Chelsea going through on the condition Drogba picks up another yellow in this match. Can't see past a Barca win though, Chelsea defended to the best of their ability last week and Barca still carved out enough chance that they should be leading at least 3-1. Chelsea's luck won't hold out for another 90 minutes.

Yeah I think Chelsea's only chance is if they score at least 2 tbh. Very possible though Barca look shaky on set pieces

DoctorGonzo08

Will be very interesting to see how Barca play this. Do they play the football they are capable of at home and go on to win this, or do they play the cards and try and set up advantage?

I believe they will do the latter as they did with Arsenal. Look to get the Centre Halves and Holding Mid booked early on so they will have less pressure put on them. I'm expecting alot of diving and surrounding the ref in the first half hour.

Hope I'm wrong, but Barca tend to do this in the run up to the final. Once they're on the big stage they play football.

Panthro

2-1 to barca tomorrow night.

dfx-

Rovers are better off in terms of CL seeding if Chelsea go out, so go Barcelona. Also as a Barcelona follower, go Barcelona.

jive

3-0 barca

Oranage2

Blatter wrote: »

Chelsea will need a really strong ref to stand any chance, that's for sure.

"UEFA have appointed former °°UNICEF°° employee °Cuneyt Cakir° to referee Chelsea's second leg."


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/choice-of-champions-league-secondleg-referee-for-chelsea-semifinal-revives-bara-bias-claim-7669029.html


Interesting words from Mourinho:

Last year Mourinho said: "If I say to Uefa what I really think then my career will be finished. As I can't say what I think I will ask the question: Why? I don't understand why? Why [Tom] Ovrebo? Why [Massimo] Busacca? Why [Wolfgang] Stark? Every semi-final the same thing happens. I don't know if it is the publicity of Unicef. My question is why? Why don't they let us play against them? Why send Pepe off? Why not give four penalties in the game against Chelsea. Why send off [Thiago] Motta? Why send off Robin Van Persie? Where does this power come from?"


Hard to argue against even if it is just mind games.

Jesus Wept

6-4

KingdomYid

Come on Barca for so many reasons, the main one being incase Spurs can somehow squeeze into 4th spot. I could not handle watching the final knowing a Chelsea win could knock us out of qualification even having qualified by right, nightmare scenario :eek:

Leiva

4-2

Redzer7

4 - 0 or 4 -1

smallerthanyou

MagicMarker wrote: »

4-1

To who? JK. Hoping for a 2-1 to Barca. Expecting a 2-0. I think we can limit Barca to 2 easily enough. Just not sure we can score the 1 unless we get a few set pieces or Drogs is on fire again.

KingdomYid

cgpg5 wrote: »

3-2 to Barca. Could even be more goals, can really see a goalfest tbh. Come on Chelsea though!

Are you not a Newcastle fan? You should looking for them to be knocked out. If you guys finish 4th a Chelsea win in the final would mean no qualification.

cgpg5

KingdomYid wrote: »

Are you not a Newcastle fan? You should looking for them to be knocked out. If you guys finish 4th a Chelsea win in the final would mean no qualification.

Ah but we've third all but sealed!

But no I'd like to see Chelsea knocking out Barca can't see them winning the final anyway... I see what you're saying though. Would be disastrous if it happened

KingdomYid

cgpg5 wrote: »

Ah but we've third all but sealed!

But no I'd like to see Chelsea knocking out Barca can't see them winning the final anyway... I see what you're saying though. Would be disastrous if it happened

Would be a kick in the guts alright after finishing 4th. What will be will I guess.

karma_

Oranage2 wrote: »

"UEFA have appointed former °°UNICEF°° employee °Cuneyt Cakir° to referee Chelsea's second leg."


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/choice-of-champions-league-secondleg-referee-for-chelsea-semifinal-revives-bara-bias-claim-7669029.html


Interesting words from Mourinho:

Last year Mourinho said: "If I say to Uefa what I really think then my career will be finished. As I can't say what I think I will ask the question: Why? I don't understand why? Why [Tom] Ovrebo? Why [Massimo] Busacca? Why [Wolfgang] Stark? Every semi-final the same thing happens. I don't know if it is the publicity of Unicef. My question is why? Why don't they let us play against them? Why send Pepe off? Why not give four penalties in the game against Chelsea. Why send off [Thiago] Motta? Why send off Robin Van Persie? Where does this power come from?"


Hard to argue against even if it is just mind games.

Hard to argue with? Seriously? It amounts to conspiracy nonsense to be honest, nothing more.

cgpg5

KingdomYid wrote: »

Would be a kick in the guts alright after finishing 4th. What will be will I guess.

Still can't see us getting top 4 anyway very tough fixtures to come, very possible we won't win another game. Although I'm hoping Wigan's result at weekend affects them!

Anyway any injury news/worries for Chelsea in this game? They should play more long ball up to Drogba in this, particularly from frees in their own half. Chelsea trying to play football in their own half may prove costly (Philippe Mexes will tell you!). Drogba seemed to cause real problems for the Barca defence when long balls were played to him. Would like to see Mata playing just off him trying to latch onto breaks. He was quiet the last day, hopefully can get more out of him tomorrow.

Barr

1-1 draw and Chelsea going through.

LuckyLloyd

Chelsea have a real chance imo. They need to be very strong and disciplined, accept they'll see 30% of the ball or so and be absolutely clinical with whatever few chances they eke out. It can be done though - this Barcelona side is beatable.

Barcelona are better all over the pitch. So ****ing what. If Chelsea play for each other they can progress.

Morzadec

Prediction: Barcelona 3 -0, and Drogba to spend roughly 2 mins 30 seconds on the ground

I reckon Chelsea will hold and frustrate Barca for a while, but the perseverance will pay off and they'll seal it with two late-ish goals

Who knows though, depends how Barca react after the weekend. A great team will bounce back and put an inferior Chelsea team to the sword. But could nerves and doubt start to creep in? Could Chelsea exploit their lack of height from set-pieces and make things go from tricky to very difficult? Certainly plausible.

A massive test for Barca and their legacy could rest hugely on this game.

Sgt Pepper 64

Morzadec wrote: »

Prediction: Barcelona 3 -0, and Drogba to spend roughly 2 mins 30 seconds on the ground

I reckon Chelsea will hold and frustrate Barca for a while, but the perseverance will pay off and they'll seal it with two late-ish goals

Who knows though, depends how Barca react after the weekend. A great team will bounce back and put an inferior Chelsea team to the sword. But could nerves and doubt start to creep in? Could Chelsea exploit their lack of height from set-pieces and make things go from tricky to very difficult? Certainly plausible.

A massive test for Barca and their legacy could rest hugely on this game.

Yes chelsea are a great team, and yes they did put an inferior team to the sword. but theres no need to rub it in!

Masked Man

Morzadec wrote: »

Prediction: Barcelona 3 -0, and Drogba to spend roughly 2 mins 30 seconds on the ground

I reckon Chelsea will hold and frustrate Barca for a while, but the perseverance will pay off and they'll seal it with two late-ish goals

Who knows though, depends how Barca react after the weekend. A great team will bounce back and put an inferior Chelsea team to the sword. But could nerves and doubt start to creep in? Could Chelsea exploit their lack of height from set-pieces and make things go from tricky to very difficult? Certainly plausible.

A massive test for Barca and their legacy could rest hugely on this game.

Wonder how many people thought they'd bounce back against Madrid.

argosy2006

Chelsea need a man on each touch line as a outlet,
Just stand there, Like giggs would do,,,,
Drogba left, Sturridge right, Torres through middle
Or defend like cowards whole game, As they did at Home,
But i think you need a goal to win,

Turtyturd

Masked Man wrote: »

Wonder how many people thought they'd bounce back against Madrid.

They did....then Madrid bounced back again, Chelsea won't be good enough to do that.

Masked Man

I meant from losing to Chelsea.

Lukker-

argosy2006 wrote: »

Chelsea need a man on each touch line as a outlet,
Just stand there, Like giggs would do,,,,
Drogba left, Sturridge right, Torres through middle
Or defend like cowards whole game, As they did at Home,
But i think you need a goal to win,

Surely if they defended like cowards they would have conceded a goal?

Like Giggs would do? The last 2 occasions United have played Barca they tried to play their normal game and got hammered.

Sgt Pepper 64

Turtyturd wrote: »

They did....then Madrid bounced back again, Chelsea won't be good enough to do that.

everyone said that about the first game

Masked Man

argosy2006 wrote: »

Chelsea need a man on each touch line as a outlet,
Just stand there, Like giggs would do,,,,
Drogba left, Sturridge right, Torres through middle
Or defend like cowards whole game, As they did at Home,
But i think you need a goal to win,

[ ] Defended like cowards

[x] Kept a clean sheet

[x] Scored

[x] Won

Why wouldn't we do this again.

craggles

Because it was pure jambag luck that an away goal wasn't conceded?

cgpg5

argosy2006 wrote: »

Chelsea need a man on each touch line as a outlet,
Just stand there, Like giggs would do,,,,
Drogba left, Sturridge right, Torres through middle
Or defend like cowards whole game, As they did at Home,
But i think you need a goal to win,

I thought we would at least make it till the day of the game before the ridiculous posts started coming in...

Masked Man

Not really, I don't see Barca being terrible at finishing as jambag luck. But I'm guessing that opinion mightn't be shared by everybody.

Dubit10

Masked Man wrote: »

[ ] Defended like cowards

[x] Kept a clean sheet

[x] Scored

[x] Won

Why wouldn't we do this again.

If you can get away with it again it will be amazing that's why. Barcelona could have scored 4-5 last week and i'd think they will get at least 3 goals tomorrow night. Chelsea need to attack them at every chance as the Barcelona defence is'nt all that good.

amiable

argosy2006 wrote: »

Chelsea need a man on each touch line as a outlet,
Just stand there, Like giggs would do,,,,
Drogba left, Sturridge right, Torres through middle
Or defend like cowards whole game, As they did at Home,
But i think you need a goal to win,

If you hug the touchline that will leave massive holes for Xavi and Iniesta to play their game

amiable

Sgt Pepper 64 wrote: »

everyone said that about the first game

Including you

Warper

gavredking wrote: »

Definetly. Last week I thought the German ref was very good, hoping for a similar level of officiating.

Last week the ref was hopeless. If it wasnt Drogba throwing himself to the ground it was Ashley Cole. Lets hope that the ref tomorrow night is better than the last week. Chelsea will be cynical so the sooner the ref issues a card the better. Dont want to see a hatchet job game or Drogba on the ground for half of it.

Redzer7

Chelsea need a man on each touch line as a outlet,
Just stand there, Like giggs would do,,,,
Drogba left, Sturridge right, Torres through middle
Or defend like cowards whole game, As they did at Home,
But i think you need a goal to win,

Ah here now come on, I'm an Arsenal fan and if I was in Chelsea's position I couldn't give a fiddlers fúck if they defended throughout the game with 11 men behind the ball, especially when they actually done it successfully.

It might not be liked by all fans but fúck it, if it gets you through to the Champions League final instead of Barca one of/if not the best team in the world then fair fúcks to them.

Masked Man

Dubit10 wrote: »

If you can get away with it again it will be amazing that's why. Barcelona could have scored 4-5 last week and i'd think they will get at least 3 goals tomorrow night. Chelsea need to attack them at every chance as the Barcelona defence is'nt all that good.

We need to attack them at every reasonable opportunity, which for us is set pieces and long balls. There's no point in streaming people forward and leaving a **** load of space, we need to be disciplined. we've seen what happens when we leave space, I shudder to think what Barca could do if we leave them space.

amiable

Warper wrote: »

Last week the ref was hopeless. If it wasnt Drogba throwing himself to the ground it was Ashley Cole. Lets hope that the ref tomorrow night is better than the last week. Chelsea will be cynical so the sooner the ref issues a card the better. Dont want to see a hatchet job game or Drogba on the ground for half of it.

It's like Chelsea are bound to be the only ones behaving cynically tomorrow from your post

Warper

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Chelsea have a real chance imo. They need to be very strong and disciplined, accept they'll see 30% of the ball or so and be absolutely clinical with whatever few chances they eke out. It can be done though - this Barcelona side is beatable.

Barcelona are better all over the pitch. So ****ing what. If Chelsea play for each other they can progress.

It really doesnt matter what Chelsea do. This game is all about Barca's performance. If they play to their potential they go through irrespective of how well Chelsea play. Btw every side is beatable.

Masked Man

Maybe I have a terrible memory (I do in general) but did Drogba actually dive last week?

Warper

amiable wrote: »

It's like Chelsea are bound to be the only ones behaving cynically tomorrow from your post

Well they were the only cynical ones last week.

Warper

Masked Man wrote: »

Maybe I have a terrible memory (I do in general) but did Drogba actually dive last week?

U have a terrible memory