2011/2012 UEFA Champions League

[Matt]

Wouldn't be surprised if it was Busquets playing centre back and Masch playing holding midfield, but we'll see.

Anyway, come on Barca.

[Dingle]

I'd be pretty shocked, especially since Mascher's been great in the league at CB. And Pep doesn't seem to be too fussed about playing larger teams and leaving both Sergio and Pique out. Still, it'd make more sense to combat Drog that way.

Can anyone make sense of the way the BBC have listed Barca's team?

01 Valdes

02 Alves

05 Puyol

21 Adriano Correia

04 Fabregas

06 Xavi

08 Iniesta

10 Messi

14 Mascherano

16 Busquets

09 Sanchez

So Sergio is playing striker flanked by Sanchez and Mascherano? >_>.

Edited April 18, 2012 by Devil In Jouzy City

[MDK]

Just in case anyone can't get to a TV, you can watch it online here legally.

[IAceI]

Prediction time?

1-1 tonight. Iniesta scores the first goal, Barcelona have all the position, Meireles scores a goal after 70 minutes to get the equaliser. Chelsea get a draw against the best team in the world and the pundits talk about what a good achievement that is, while Barcelona are happy to take Chelsea back to their den in a weeks time and do the dirty.

[MDK]

4-2 to Barca, but only because I put 50p on it.

[Matt]

Chelsea win 2-1 tonight, Barcelona to put 4-5 past them at the Nou Camp.

[IAceI]

I'd be pretty shocked, especially since Mascher's been great in the league at CB. And Pep doesn't seem to be too fussed about playing larger teams and leaving both Sergio and Pique out. Still, it'd make more sense to combat Drog that way.

Can anyone make sense of the way the BBC have listed Barca's team?

01 Valdes

02 Alves

05 Puyol

21 Adriano Correia

04 Fabregas

06 Xavi

08 Iniesta

10 Messi

14 Mascherano

16 Busquets

09 Sanchez

So Sergio is playing striker flanked by Sanchez and Mascherano? >_>.

My guess would be

Valdes

Alves RB/RM

Puyol

Mascherano

Adriano LB

Busquets DM

Xavi CM

Iniesta CM

Sanchez LW/LF

Fabregas CF/AM

Messi CF/AM

Ish. Trying to describe a Barcelona forward is no mean feat. Alves won't push forward as much as he does at the Nou Camp, probably be a more defensive role with the odd push forward when the time calls.

Edited April 18, 2012 by IAceI

[MDK]

Cech in goal is quite daring from Barca.

Oh, you edited it >_>

[MJB]

Cech?

[IAceI]

I was trying to type how Barcelona would line up while I was reading the Chelsea team on the BBC website. Obviously got myself all in a pickle.

[MJB]

Sanchez hits the bar. Early warning for Chelsea although Drogba's had a couple of half chances aswell.

[Jimmy]

Hit the bar already? This game should be really fun - at least, a lot more equal than the second leg anyway.

[MDK]

There's goals in this here game. Cahill and/or Terry with a chance just there.

[IAceI]

Cahill trying to tackle the ball into the net? Why do that, you have awesome ball skills son, should have rabona'd it in.

[Gazz]

And Dani Alves solves the problem of shirt pulling in the box by grabbing Terry's captains armband instead.

[Matt]

Both teams could have scored so far had they had a little more luck, aerial threats are going to be Barca's biggest problem.

I like that Ace tried to give Messi an actual position, I'm pretty sure Pep just says "so that's where you ten are playing, Lionel... do what you want".

[MDK]

Terry clobbering Sanchez there.

[MJB]

He didn't clobber him, he just moved to his left and stepped in-front of Sanchez.

[Jimmy]

That was brilliant. WELCOME TO ENGLAND! [/That guy down the pub]

[MDK]

What a miss