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

GavRedKing · 23-04-2012 04:34PM #1

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 · 23-04-2012 04:36PM

This post has been deleted.

MagicMarker · 23-04-2012 04:38PM

4-1

cgpg5 · 23-04-2012 04:39PM

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

Nalz · 23-04-2012 04:46PM

Aquila wrote: »

As i said before and i'll say it again

CHELSEA FANS

BELIEVE

Out of pure curiosity who do you support?

Nalz · 23-04-2012 04:55PM

2-0, maybe 3-0 to Barca

Blatter · 23-04-2012 04:56PM

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

MagicMarker · 23-04-2012 04:57PM

Is Drogba still injured?

Turtyturd · 23-04-2012 04:57PM

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 · 23-04-2012 04:58PM

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 · 23-04-2012 04:58PM

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 · 23-04-2012 04:59PM

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 · 23-04-2012 05:00PM

2-1 to barca tomorrow night.

dfx- · 23-04-2012 05:01PM

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

jive · 23-04-2012 05:09PM

3-0 barca

Oranage2 · 23-04-2012 05:09PM

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 · 23-04-2012 05:24PM

6-4

KingdomYid · 23-04-2012 05:25PM

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 · 23-04-2012 05:28PM

4-2

Redzer7 · 23-04-2012 05:31PM

4 - 0 or 4 -1

smallerthanyou · 23-04-2012 05:33PM

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 · 23-04-2012 05:35PM

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 · 23-04-2012 05:44PM

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 · 23-04-2012 05:47PM

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_ · 23-04-2012 05:47PM

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 · 23-04-2012 05:52PM

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 · 23-04-2012 06:19PM

1-1 draw and Chelsea going through.

LuckyLloyd · 23-04-2012 07:27PM

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 · 23-04-2012 07:36PM

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 · 23-04-2012 08:00PM

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 · 23-04-2012 08:08PM

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.

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

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