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The unstoppable force vs. the immovable object.
That might be the bets way to describe the Barcelona-Chelsea UEFA Champions League semifinal series. Barcelona's potent attack struggled to break down Chelsea's defensive discipline and now the sides head to Stamford Bridge for the second leg of their series knowing that a win on Wednesday (2:30pm, ESPN2) means a place in the Champions League final.
Can you really bet against Barcelona after Saturday's mauling of Real Madrid? Or do you give the edge to Chelsea and mastermind Guus "Potato" Hiddink? Can you really see the Blues parking the bus in front of goal and playing an ultra-defensive game at home? Do you think Barcelona's pillaging of Real Madrid's defense is enough to show Chelsea that they have no choice but to defend with 11? Or will Hiddink surprise and go on the attack against a Barcelona defense that will be without the suspended Carles Puyol?
What do you see happening on Tuesday Wednesday? Cast your vote below:
What's my call? I think Barcelona wins 2-1, though I wouldn't be surprised if a surprisingly high-scoring match plays out.
How do you see the match playing out? Where will you be watching?
Share your thoughts on Barcelona/Chelsea in the comments section below.
This will be a great semi finals, but I guess Barcelona has a slight edge over Chelsea. The finals may be between Barcelona and Man UTD.
Even though I hated their tactics, the problem honestly is not with Chelsea, who couldn’t afford to be slaughtered at the Camp Nou. When one team assumes that it is weaker, that team usually goes more defensive. When that team in on the road, it gets even more defensive. And when number of goals matter, it gets even more defensive. You’d think that in the semi-final of the Champions League the quality of both teams would even out these tendencies, but Guus apparently decided to go the other extreme because I guess he thinks that Chelsea simply cannot expect to play attacking football against Barca without being eaten up. I doubt Guus will employ the same strategy this time because Barca will break through and he can’t afford not to score first.
Still not sure why so many are appalled by the defensive stance taken by Chelsea in the first leg. It is a road game against a dominant offensive side; how are they supposed to play it?
Second leg should see a more balanced Chelsea side but Barca will still have the majority of the ball because it is what they do. Chelsea will try to be opportunistic either via the counter or during the inevitable spells when they will have control of the pitch.
I have no idea which will win but a 2-1 scoreline seems most reasonable.
Regards,
Sonicdeathmonkey: no, my point is that if Chelsea plays barca’s game, the one all the purists are begging to see, they will get slaughtered. They can’t run with Barca, but if the game becomes a jog or a walk, they can win. Real Madrid, a fine attacking team, tried to run with Barca last weekend, at home, and lasted about as long as the Maginot Line. Barca wants to win every game 6-2, Chelsea wants to win 1-0. If Chelsea comes out in a 442, and tries to match Barca goal for goal, it will get ugly for them in a hurry. The pressure is to play like Barca, because the purists like it and it’s pretty and exciting. If barca wants to play that game, they need to force the issue, Chelsea isn’t going to volunteer to be led like lambs to the slaughter.
And you don’t think Chelsea was the underdog? Did you read the papers and see the betting lines?
The only way Chelsea get through is 0-0, and Terry doesn’t slip on his PK.
Anyone supporting Chelsea’s tactics removes themselves from being able to rightfully b!tch about the USMNT using the same tactics when playing superior teams. Yes, Chelsea is to Barca as USMNT is to (insert top tier international team here).
In fact anyone supporting those defensive tactics in a CL semi-final can’t complain about US Soccer’s seeming emphasis on wins instead of playing football. Chelsea is suppose to be a top 4 team in UEFA. That was an embaressment of a CL game. I hope Barca kicks the snot out them just like Real (not gonna happen but I can dream).
I cannot stand Chelsea but they are going to easily beat Barca, 3-1.
I think maybe a scoring draw, putting Barça through on away goals.
I just want to see some beautiful goals man…..especially since this one of my only chances to watch barca all year. I’d enjoy a score-fest from both sides.
Screw Chelsea and their fans. No one cared about this team in the 90s when it was just a bunch of thugs in the stands. Nortzax find a better article for your argument. Gladwell’s most recent book “The Outliers” is rubbish compared to Blink and The Tipping Point.
It will be very interesting if (when) Barca scores a goal. That forces Chelsea to go on the attack. Then things will get fun.
In what way is Chelsea the second richest club in the world?
It’s fifth in terms of revenue. There are also a handful of owners or owner groups richer than Roman Abramovic.
So northzax, you are implying that Chelsea, the second richest club in the world, with world class stars like Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Cech, Mikel and countless others….is David in the David/Goliath scenario? Really? Seriously?
Barca 3-1. Unless Chelsea plays for 0-0 again and prays to win on kicks, they will have to attack more than they did at the Nou Camp. When they do, Barca will gut them like a fish. I see Chelsea playing defense until the middle of the second half if possible, trying to prevent the killer away goal, because they can’t afford to attack early and not score. My guess is Barca goes up 2-0 before they both pull one back.
anyone who wants to complain about Chelsea…http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/05/11/090511fa_fact_gladwell?currentPage=all
OK, seeing as how I’ll have to be at work tomorrow afternoon, the big question is: can I get away with TiVo-ing it just an extra hour, or should I just bite the bullet and TiVo for an extra 90 minutes?
Chelsea Win In A Rout!
(a/k/a the option that Ives doesn’t think is even an option)
I foresee a defensive team in a 4-5-1 of the usual back four, and obi mikel ballack lampard essien and malouda with drogba up front. That line up no matter how good the offense is pretty hard to break down as we saw in the 1st leg. Chelsea then steals a goal from a cross or corner kick because Barca defense is atrocious in the air as evidenced by the 2 goals they gave up to madrid. When Barca start chasing, Chelsea hit a counter. Barca gets a consolation to make it interesting. Chelsea 2 – Barca 1.
Oh my God, I hope Barca wins. What a mouth-watering final it would be if it were Man U vs. Barca…
I am going with Chelsea for the win. That is what they have to do to go through. I think they have the talent and at home can do it. Besides I want Chelsea to win the Cl with out the special one.
My mistake on the game being Wednesday. Forgot that the two semis swap from the first leg.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIves! Get it right next time …
The game is Wednesday, not Tuesday.
I love how so many people are bashing chelsea for a strong defensive performance at the nou camp. Soccer is about a lot more than just quick passing and flashy attacking play.
In any case this game should be a lot more open. Barca might win, but it’s funny that 16% think it will be a rout.
Barca goes through 2-1 or 1-1.
The key will be who scores first. If Barca scores, Chelsea WILL have to attack and open themselves up. If Chelsea scores first, they can put 10 men behind the ball and try to weather the storm, possibly frustrating Barca and making them over-commit opening themselves up for counter attacks
Whoops…Chelsea, not Chelea.
After the way Chelea played last week, I wish nothing but misery for their coach, their players, and their fans.
Where’s “Chelsea wins in a route”? ‘Cuz that’s what I’m calling.
Where’s Barca wins on the away goals rule?
There’s no option to vote for my prediction: a 1-1 draw, with Barca going through on away goals.
Why not an “Arsenal vs. Manchester United who will win?” post first?