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UCL | R16 | 1rst leg: FC Barcelona vs Liverpool

30K views 902 replies 124 participants last post by  GICA  
#1 ·
Back to business in Europe after a 2 months break.

Very important game at home against a difficult opponent.
Considering our impotence to win away games in the last months a win with a good margin is an absolute must if we want to have any chance to go through to the next round.
This game will probably determine the team that will reach the quarter-finals.

On Barcelona's side Rijkaard will have all the players at his disposal including Eto'o and Messi who has shown his great physical form against Valencia and who will probably given a place in the starting line-up.

On the other side Liverpool have had more days to prepare for this vital clash and they seem to be ready for the big test despite having some off-the pitch problems while they were training in Portugal.
It shouldn't affect their morale though.

Probable line-up:
----------------Valdes-------------
--Oleguer--Edmilson--Puyol----Zambrotta
----------------Marquez----------
----------Iniesta--------Deco-------
-----Messi-------------------Ronaldinho----
----------------Saviola-------------

Time and venue:
UCL| Wednesday, 21 Feb, FCB-Liverpool (20:45) CET First leg 1/8 final | Camp Nou

 
#2 ·
we'll be playing Valencia once again, same shit deferent name, thats all.

they'll sit back and counter us to the death, we'll need Rijkaard to think in attack, nothing else, if we thinked we draw and go for Anfild and take our chances there, we'll be losing it so easy.

I think Deco should be benched in this game, I don't care about what people see in him in the pitch, he's out of mental form and thats worse than being out of shape, he just lose too many balls so easy, and lose him mind so easy, it cost us today with his RED, he could've standed there, and let Albelda be sent alone, and it would've been 11 Vs 10.

Saviola and Messi to start is better, and use Iniesta cuts from the middle and pass's behind defenders will be a better than going for Giuly to run behind defenders.

thats for now, and waiting to see the game squad.
 
#5 ·
----------------Valdes-------------
--Oleguer--Thuram--Puyol----Zambrotta
----------------Marquez----------
----------Xavi-----------Iniesta-------
-----Messi-------------------Ronaldinho----
----------------Saviola-------------

Rijkaard better use his subs better this time. We need to score first and as quick as possible. Liverpool will play like Valencia did today so we better learn from tonight and not make the same mistakes. IMO it`s a good thing we don`t go euphoric to play this game.

In MESSI we trust:stuckup:
 
#6 ·
The only reason i'm a bit optimistic about this game is that they don't have great wingers and their strikers are far form clinical in front of goal unlike Valencia.

BTW will Thuram be fit for this game? I really hope we won't rely on Edmilson as a CB once again.
 
#7 ·
We need to shut down the backline at all costs. Conceding a goal at home is a death sentence in these 2 round legs. Even if we play to a 0-0, we can come out and attack at Anfield the following leg.
 
#15 ·
ViscaBarcaInter said:
We're pretty crap right now as well. What should have been a mouth watering clash between two mega powers of world football looks like it will be a clash of 2 out of form pub teams. :D:D:D
so havent you seen the carlsberg ads, probably the greatest pub match ever. :D:pp

atleast in your pub team, saviola does not grab a nine iron gold club and try to beat the crap out of gio :D

Liverpool cannot score for joke, we have had more chances on goals in EPL, but have an absolute terrible conversion ratio. Now when you consider we'll have limited chances in Camp Nou, it will be very hard for us to score. :depress:
 
#16 ·
The much awaited return of Champions League football, the biggest tournament in European football, pitting the big names against each other...

And just about everyone in it is playing crap. What gives? :D
 
#17 ·
Vicente05 said:
Liverpool cannot score for joke, we have had more chances on goals in EPL, but have an absolute terrible conversion ratio. Now when you consider we'll have limited chances in Camp Nou, it will be very hard for us to score. :depress:
Damn this post reminds me of the "Diavolo" syndrom if you get what i mean.

On a more serious note you'll create chances that's certain but hopefully you'll continue to be as bad as you're when it comes of finishing.

I have a weird feeling about this game.
 
#18 ·
Vicente05 said:
it was more like bellamy beating riise, than a fight. :depress:
Bellamy shot Riise On Foot And Liverpool Paid 7 Millions For Riises Foots :(
 
#23 ·
Carles said:
Damn this post reminds me of the "Diavolo" syndrom if you get what i mean.
OH! don't we all know that Syndrom! :rollani:

and honestly I just don't wish it to come back any time soon :thmbdown:

Carles said:
On a more serious note you'll create chances that's certain but hopefully you'll continue to be as bad as you're when it comes of finishing.

I have a weird feeling about this game.
to be honest, I've watched a lot of Liverpool last, and this season, and they have 2 faces, if they created too many chances and not take one, you'll beat them so easily because you could notice they'll give up so easy.

in the other hand, they have that face, where they'll score a goal from nothing, and sit back and kills you in counter attack, and could easily lead it up to 2 or 3 gaols in no times.

I wish for face one to be honest :D
 
#24 ·
i think Benitez will go for his 4-2-3-1 as opposed to his 3-4-1-2. I think the lineup will be:

----------------Reina--------------
-Finnan---Carragher---Agger---Riise-
---------Sissoko----Alonso----------
Pennant--------Kuyt-------Gerrard--
-----------Bellamy/ Crouch----------

There's still a lot of questions on the midfield and attack, the defence injuries permitting will be that lineup i think, but I'm not sure if Benitez will think Sissoko is fully fit and ready to play in the middle, if so, where do you play Gerrard. Even Mascherano may be a possible candidate to play, but i highly doubt it. I think Gerrard will play on the left if Sissoko plays, simply because I think Rafa sees Pennant as a better option than Gonzalez (not saying much thoguh) Again another question in the ttack, does he go for the speed of the enigmatic but controversial nutjob Bellamy or does he go for Crouch who will help us keep the ball better but hardly a threat in fast counter attacks.

:hopefull:
 
#25 ·
there is no way Gerrard is playing on the left. More likely the right if he is to play out wide so he can help stop Ronaldinho.

my thinking is this lineup.

.................Reina.................
Finnan... Carra.. Agger....Aurelio
Gerrard... Xabi. ... Momo......Mark Gonzalez
..............Crouch .... Kuyt................


Benitez will go with the players that have played well at the Nou Camp before in Aurelio and gonzalez.