PBP: Manchester United v FC Barcelona | UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal - 1st Leg | 10 April 2019 [R]

1 booking away from missing out on the 2nd leg:

Barça: Semedo

Man Utd: Herrera, Matic, Shaw, Valencia, Young

 

hmmm... that's quite a list for Man United. From what I saw of Man Utd's rivival, Luke Shaw was quite key to that so I imagine he would be a big potential loss (and will be difficult for him not to pick up a yellow in the first leg with Messi on his side).

 

ManU won't be a walk in the park by any means me thinks. On a good day the Pogba, Rashford, and Lingard trident can cause a lot of trouble, not to mention Martial and Lukaku. They have a talented squad, it just hasn't shown much this year for obvious reasons. *cough* Mourinho *cough*. I'm cautiously optimistic though, as one would be having an in-form Messi and Suarez in your squad. I can't wait for Dembele to start playing again and I hope to see more of Malcolm.

 

Yeah, just hope they don't bring back Dembele too soon. Doesn't need to play on Wednesday if he's not 100% fit. But I think Valverde learned his lesson the last time....

 

I think that the questions are about the same as they were before Atletico:

X - who starts at RB (Semedo or Roberto) next to Pique, Lenglet, and Alba
Y - who starts next to Rakitic and Busquets in the midfield (Arthur or Vidal or Roberto or Alena)
Z - who starts next to Messi and Suarez on the frontline (Coutinho or Malcom or Dembele or a 4th midfielder for a 4-4-2)

I think that EV will start Semedo (need for speed), Arthur (need for control), and Coutinho (don't want to rush Dembele back, wish he'd start Malcom but hopefully Malcom and/or Dembele come on as a sub and do damage late by changing our dynamic and also wreaking havoc by running at tired legs).

Could also see playing a 4-4-2 with both Arthur and Vidal in the midfield (and no third forward), but more likely Vidal like Malcom (and/or Dembele) is a 2nd half sub.

 

Meh, what good is Coutinho's experience vs EPL teams if he's just not delivering the goods. Admittedly, he was pretty decent in his last outing, but when Malcolm came on he was electrifying though it was frustrating seeing him get by defenders so easily only to cut back and pass the ball backwards or sideways. So little confidence in his right foot. That's where Dembele edges them all out; being ambidextrous (two-footed) is a major plus in football.

 

I'm sure Dembele would start if he was healthy. But just not worth risking him otherwise. Have to think bigger picture here.

 

we will win,3-0

 

Finally a game I can watch on TV instead of streaming

 

Where are you? Pretty sure whichever network is showing CLquarters on TV is the same one that showed CL round of 16.

 

Barcelona players have been on form, I've seen the passion in their eyes, and I have confidence in Valverde's decisions. I have a great feeling about our chances against Man U, especially seeing how we did against Atletico and how Man U has looked recently (lost to the wolves twice). If you'd guys like to hear more analysis and discussion check out this podcast "Barca Breakdown" on iTunes or Spotify. We'd really appreciate your feedback so leave us a review, like, or follow and we have a page on Twitter @Barcabreakdown. Thanks! FORCA BARCA!!!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/barca-breakdown-fc-barcelona/id1455937644?mt=2&i=1000432448888

https://open.spotify.com/show/3yUZHsWKh0qJg90xoaFvzc

 

Uefa.com predicting Barca will go with a 4-4-2.
“Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Piqué, Lenglet, Alba; Vidal, Arthur, Busquets, Rakitić; Messi, Suárez
Out: Rafinha (knee)
Doubtful: Dembélé (hamstring)
Misses next match if booked: Semedo”

 

Same here. Im on East Asia and the local TV would only air the match that involve English team.

 

https://www.sport-english.com/en/ne...ill-line-up-against-manchester-united-7397417
Sport go Roberto over Semedo (please don't do that EV); Arthur over Vidal (and 4-3-3 over 4-4-2); and Coutinho over not-yet-cleared Dembele and Malcom. I think we could see that exact thing but I hope and predict that Semedo gets a start instead of Roberto.

 

Play Semedo, Arthur, and Coutinho. I'm nervous about this tie. I hope we put our best foot forward and dictate play. Given United's strong away record (wins against Juve and PSG and a major streak in league as well) I think getting a winning result tomorrow is imperative.

 

Dembele has his medical green light, but as Celito said, Dembele isn't ready to start, and why risk him off the bench when Malcom (who is likely to start on the bench himself) gives us similar qualities as a sub, without the risk of an injury re-occurrence, which is exactly what happened when we rushed Dembele back to play against Lyon.

Still I expect he will likely make the match squad.

https://www.sport-english.com/en/ne...ssed-fit-for-the-match-against-united-7399659

 

Since the first leg is away, I’m thinking more about offense right now than the need to keep a clean sheet.

Expecting 4 goals minimum over the two legs, including one in OT. Emphasis on “Minimum”. This defense is really not good at all.

BTW, Terrible match to watch in North America. Anywhere a Barca fan goes they will be outnumbered 5:1 by ManUre fans.

 

i expect scoring two more goals this game

 

One of the great joys I had as a Barca fan was watching Iniesta's Stamford Bridge goal in the only Chelsea bar in San Francisco. Must have been outnumbered at least 10:1 but then Iniesta struck and the handful of us could not contain ourselves.