Shutting Down Barcelona's Attack

[xRonWatsonx]

Crazy idea if we try to play a catennaccio system and shut down Barca's fearsome front four, given that Cole is suspended:

Ivanovic - Carvalho - Terry - Alex
Belletti - Mikel - Essien
Lampard
Anelka - Drogba

WAY too defensive?

[Belgian guy]

Crazy idea if we try to play a catennaccio system and shut down Barca's fearsome front four, given that Cole is suspended:

Ivanovic - Carvalho - Terry - Alex
Belletti - Mikel - Essien
Lampard
Anelka - Drogba

WAY too defensive?

I can't see Guus doing that. He'll want to make an actual game out of it, even at the Nou Camp. And why wouldn't he? It's not like were clear favorites in this tie! It's another 50-50 tie that'll probably be decided by the odd goal in the end. You know, like every other time we've met in this competition in the past five years. :p

[Andy Bennett]

There's no question of trying to close them down entirely. It won't work and it means we won't score either. I think we'll try and stay solid and well organised at the back and in the middle but try and break forward as and when the opportunity arises, i.e. like the other times we've played them.

The truth is we've got enough fire-power to win the game... but then so have they.

[Ben7021]

IMO a 4-3-3 is necessary. Alves & Messi on the right together would wreak havoc on a 4-4-2 Diamond set up like that. We need to play a similair tactic to what we played against pool by using our wingers to pin back their full backs and we need to try and force things through the middle of the park where our physical midfield should be able to boss them around a little.

The are in all likelyhood going to score some goals over two legs. Important thing is getting an away goal. Even if we lose 2-1 I would feel a lot better knowing we got that away goal than if we drew 0-0.

[Andy Bennett]

IMO a 4-3-3 is necessary. Alves & Messi on the right together would wreak havoc on a 4-4-2 Diamond set up like that. We need to play a similair tactic to what we played against pool by using our wingers to pin back their full backs and we need to try and force things through the middle of the park where our physical midfield should be able to boss them around a little.

This might sound strange, (for me;)), but I think malouda could be key atm. He does a decent enough job of holding the opposing winger up and that should allow whoever is behind him to pick up the pieces from Messi. Of course, you can't shut a player like that down altogether but, tbh, we also need to get wide and pin them back a bit as well. If we're defending too much they'll score eventually... as much as anything because, let's be honest, Messi and a few of the rest of them tend to dive quite a bit and they're at home so they'll get the decisions.

[Ben7021]

This might sound strange, (for me;)), but I think malouda could be key atm.

Yep, but despite some of his serious flaws, I think his positioning off the ball and working with the LB have always been strong parts of the game, and he did well against Pool at Anfield. He has been doing well lately (the whole team has), and I really think that Messi is the key to stopping Barca. Obviously they have talent all over the field, but Messi (and also Xavi) are such dynamic players. I'm less concerned about the central midfield though as I believe Essien and Lampard are two of the best CMs in the world and I think they can more than hold their own with Barca's mid. They key will be limiting damage from Messi, and I think we may have some great opportunities on the counter with Alves, so hopefully Malouda can take advantage of his knack for pushing up way too far.

[yasik19]

I can't see Guus doing that. He'll want to make an actual game out of it, even at the Nou Camp. And why wouldn't he? It's not like were clear favorites in this tie! It's another 50-50 tie that'll probably be decided by the odd goal in the end. You know, like every other time we've met in this competition in the past five years. :p

I think you guys ARE the favorites, at least according to the rags and pundits.

Questions is, will we play with all 11 players. :D

[lobomojo]

Alves is a shit defender, and defending is not why Messi on the pitch so there is a weakness to be exploited perhaps by overloading the attack down that flank which may help keep them on their heels. Drogs should terrorize their center, as well as Lampard runs, so let them worry about stopping us, press them high; falling back and defending on our heels would only play to their strength.

I'd put Ess to do his patented Gerrard in the pocket thing on Xavi their heartbeat and I don't think Guus agrees but I think Obi Mikel protecting the back line is essential. If Bos is ready to go, I think I move him to the left with Ivano on the right, if not Ivano goes to the left and Belletti at right. I think I'd be tempted to start Kalou at left wing for his pace and defending work rate, which means I guess I'd have to get screamed at by me for putting Anelka at the wing on the right or Ballack in a 4-1-3-1-1 with Lamp and Drogs the 1'sand Kalou on the left of the 3...but as a whole the team is playing well with Maloda who is playing better and giving the ball away less so I guess I'd do our standard of late 4-3-3 with Maloda* and Kalou and Obi in and Ballack out

*of couse at this point on "my" team Stoch would be well blooded and terrorizing their right but can't throw him in now

[Ben7021]

I get the feeling that lobo has been playing out the season in his mind if he were manager :p

What's our record? Any shocking developments?

[Belgian guy]

as much as anything because, let's be honest, Messi and a few of the rest of them tend to dive quite a bit and they're at home so they'll get the decisions.

:rolleyes: Glass house, throwing bricks, a certain giant of an Ivory Coast striker.

Meanwhile, had Eto'o just gone to the ground on that terrible tackle by Rio in the semi-finals last year, we get a penalty and likely take a 1-0 lead to OT...

[Belgian guy]

I think you guys ARE the favorites, at least according to the rags and pundits.



I can't see what they're basing that one on though. You just took out the team that was hotly favored to win it all. We took out a team that was an outsider at best, one that was mightily struggling in its domestic league and was missing half their defense in the away leg.

And the recent history of this tie suggests there is no clear favorite.

[Belgian guy]

Alves is a shit defender

Alves is by far our best signing this year, and in my top five of best performers for Barcelona... Your assessment of him is another instance of comparing apples to oranges.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Proactive beats reactive every day of the week.

[lobomojo]

Alves is by far our best signing this year, and in my top five of best performers for Barcelona... Your assessment of him is another instance of comparing apples to oranges.

I was comparing defence to defence, he has many skilled attributes which can help a team, but defence is not one of them, he can be exploited in that area just as he can exploit the other end, the trick is to be the exploter not the exploitee, that flank will be a key battle in who gets the upper hand

[Belgian guy]

Proactive beats reactive every day of the week.

Qué? What does that even mean? :D

[fernb8]

great to see this thread going downhill less than 12 hours after it was created

this thread will be closed very soon if the nonsense continues and once again is another reason why game discussion threads should not be started so early. The first few posts were insightful and interesting but if this turns into a pissing contest this thread will be closed and those who continue to agitate will recieve infractions.

thanks in advance.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Qué? What does that even mean? :D

In this situation that it is better for Chelsea to play their normal game and attack Barcelona as opposed to sitting back and trying to stop your attack.

[lobomojo]

I get the feeling that lobo has been playing out the season in his mind if he were manager :p

What's our record? Any shocking developments?

:D :D We are 3 points up on ManUre, bindippers 9 points back, winners of the Carling Cup we brashley talk about a quad, leading to arrogant yank talk dominating the press and the Sun offering a Page 3 orgy to whoever stops us, Stoch and Sinclair both on the PFA young players list, Lampard with 30 goals and 25 assists not on the PFA list, Drogs tatoos Chlesea forever in blue across his forehead, Obi Mikel 2 goals 200,000 in insurance claims settled, Maloda doing better than I thought at Inter, January transfer Cigarini a cult favorite at the Bridge, 80% of my salary has gone to the FA in fines, would have been 6 points up but for my 6 game suspension for knocking Mike Riley about, during which time my assistents Clan, Fern, and Andy let organazation get sloppy trying to run up scores and draining the team Cask Bitter year supply, Monkee having quit over a refusal to have Daria serve him Belgian treats in nothing but a cute hat....

[Belgian guy]

great to see this thread going downhill less than 12 hours after it was created

this thread will be closed very soon if the nonsense continues and once again is another reason why game discussion threads should not be started so early. The first few posts were insightful and interesting but if this turns into a pissing contest this thread will be closed and those who continue to agitate will recieve infractions.

thanks in advance.

I thought the discussion had been pretty civil so far, quite frankly...

[Ben7021]

And Wayne Bridge?