Champions League Preview: Barcelona - Chelsea

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Kick-off: Tuesday, 28 February 2009, 20:45 CET – Camp Nou, Barcelona

Moment Of Truth

This is it. After all the talk over the past few months of Barcelona’s history-making grand treble voyage, the final frontier is just on the horizon and they will face their first serious obstacle this Tuesday.

It may not be the Champions League final yet but to stumble at home in the first leg of the semi-final face-off with Chelsea and they can kiss their treble desires goodbye. And with Real Madrid coming up this Saturday, a trip to Stamford Bridge for the return clash next week, and a tricky meeting with Villarreal four days after that, Barca’s delectable season could turn very sour extremely quickly.

The big worry for the Blaugrana is that Pep Guardiola’s entertainers could be too preoccupied with this weekend’s El Clasico blockbuster with Madrid. Many in the Camp Nou dressing room still view the Primera Division as a more important competition than the Champions League and they have put domestic success as their number one priority. And as massive as the encounter with Chelsea is, nothing trumps the titanic battle with their eternal enemies.

Barca are aware that their English counterparts will be, by a country mile, their toughest test in the Champions League this season. Pound for pound, the Catalan behemoths have been head and shoulders above everyone else in the competition. Not many teams have been able to match their sheer quality and phenomenal class on the pitch, but in Chelsea, they will have an opponent who knows all about grinding out a result and forcing their way through the most impossible of missions.   

Hunt For The Holy Grail

Chelsea are, by and large, on the same boat as their opponents, albeit they will be aiming for the double instead. Admittedly out of the Premier League title race, they have already booked their ticket to the FA Cup final as they look to put an end to their two-year trophyless drought in style. It’s still not a bad target to have in front of them considering all the harsh criticism they had to face midway through the season.

Champions League glory, however, is what the Pensioners are really after and it has become owner, Roman Abramovich’s personal holy grail over the past few years. They could not have asked for a more difficult semi-final challenge, but there’s still a lot of optimism and confidence floating around in the Stamford Bridge air ahead of their daunting trip to Catalunya. And they have good reason to feel that way.

The Blues have only lost once since Guus Hiddink took over the hot-seat in early February. He has not only restored the team spirit and unity but he has also moulded his troops to look more like the intricate, efficient side from the Jose Mourinho era.  

And after their stunning 3-1 win at Anfield against Liverpool in the first leg of the quarter-finals, the Londoners will be full of belief that they can win just about anywhere. They have also rectified their defensive problems after leaking in an outrageous amount of goals just a few weeks ago. They kept a clean sheet against both Everton and West Ham United and conceded just one against Arsenal in the FA Cup and although Barcelona will be a completely different kettle of fish compared to the former two, it’s the morale boost that Guus will be counting on most.

FORM GUIDE

Barcelona

Apr 25 Valencia 2-2 Barcelona (LA LIGA)

Apr 22 Barcelona 4-0 Sevilla (LA LIGA)

Apr 18 Getafe 0-1 Barcelona (LA LIGA)

Apr 14 Bayern Munich 1-1 Barcelona (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

Apr 11 Barcelona 2-0 Recreativo Huelva (LA LIGA)

Chelsea

Apr 25 West Ham United 0-1 Chelsea (PREMIER LEAGUE)

Apr 22 Chelsea 0-0 Everton (PREMIER LEAGUE)

Apr 18 Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea (FA CUP)

Apr 14 Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

Apr 11 Chelsea 4-3 Bolton Wanderers (PREMIER LEAGUE)

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Guardiola will be able to return to the dugout after being banished to the stands in the previous game. His often over-zealous support to his players from the touchline will be a huge psychological comfort, especially up against a mastermind like Hiddink.

Defender, Rafa Marquez is also back from suspension but Sergio Busquets, Dani Alves and Carles Puyol will all miss the second leg if they pick up another booking. Martin Caceres and Gabriel Milito are both out injured, but the good news is that Lionel Messi, who was suffering from stomach cramps this time last week, played the full 90 minutes against Valencia at the weekend without any problems.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Victor Valdes – Dani Alves, Puyol (c), Pique, Abidal – Xavi, Keita, Iniesta – Messi, Eto’o, Henry

Chelsea

Left-back Ashley Cole is suspended and Hiddink is expected to switch Jose Bosingwa to that flank to nullify Messi’s threat. But crucially, centre-back, John Terry is back after serving out his own one-game ban and his presence will be vital as Ricardo Carvalho looks certain to miss out due to a hamstring problem while Deco is also nursing a similar ailment.

Joe Cole and Paulo Ferreira are sidelined for the remainder of the season, while Nicolas Anelka will miss the return clash if he gets another yellow card in Catalunya.

Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Cech – Ivanovic, Alex, Terry (c), Bosingwa – Essien, Ballack – Kalou, Lampard, Malouda – Drogba

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Barcelona

Lionel Messi may be the star of this Blaugrana team and he is likely to thrill and delight fans again as usual. But the key to this contest lies right in midfield engine room. Xavi will be supremely instrumental in dictating the rhythm and direction of the game. His team-mates will also be relying on him to retain possession as much and as long as possible to deprive Chelsea of the ball. In-form Andres Iniesta will be expected to carry the team should Messi be completely marked out of the game.  

Chelsea

It will indeed be an enthralling contest to watch Frank Lampard square off with Xavi for midfield supremacy. Lamps’ ability to score goals from deep could have a significant impact, especially if the forward line is starved of service. While he will provide the attacking menace, Michael Essien will be vital in stifling Barca’s various number of threats. It will also be up to him to bring the ball out of defence and distribute it forward as quickly as possible.

PREDICTION

Barcelona’s secret weapon will be the intimidation factor. Many teams have come to the Camp Nou and they have shown Guardiola’s men far too much respect. Hiddink would do well if he can prevent that from happening to his side.

For Barca, keeping a clean sheet will be more important than scoring an avalanche of goals. The Blues, meanwhile, are aware that they will more likely than not be overwhelmed in Catalunya. Their main aim will be to settle the tie back at Stamford Bridge next week and as such away goals will be extremely vital, as they will feel confident of shutting out the Blaugrana in London.

The Spaniards have insisted that they will not change heir attacking style of play while Hiddink has promised not to sit back. This match looks delicately balanced and it could all come down to one tiny mistake either way. But for the first leg, the hosts should have enough firepower to nick a narrow win.

Barcelona 2-1 Chelsea

KS Leong, Goal.com

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