Champions League preview
Monday, 27 April 09, 09:20 AM · Comments(0)
by Joel Abraham
Barcelona v Chelsea
----------------Valdes----------------
Alves----Marquez------Pique-----Abidal
-----Xavi----Yaya Toure----Iniesta----
------Messi------Eto'o-----Henry------
----Malouda-----Drogba-----Ballack----
-----Lampard----Essien-----Mikel------
Bosingwa---Terry------Alex----Ivanovic
-----------------Cech-----------------
When Barca's frontline are unleashed, they can rip any defence to shreds, so Chelsea will have to be at their very best. Bosingwa could be the weak link for Messi to exploit. The clash of
Barca's midfield artistry against Chelsea's gladiators will be an interesting one. Iniesta is in sparkling form, so Essien will have the unenviable task of shackling the Spanish playmaker.
Hiddink will have to decide between Anelka and Kalou, where the Ivorian's workrate could be favoured. Lampard and Drogba could cause Barca's defence serious problems, particularly at set
pieces, where Valdes is a liability and Chelsea have supreme aerial dominance. Hiddink may be content to bag an away goal and take the tie back to the Bridge. Barca will probably outgun
Chelsea, but there will be plenty to play for in the second leg.
Man United v Arsenal
--------------Van der Sar-------------
O'Shea----Ferdinand----Vidic------Evra
Ronaldo----Carrick---Anderson----Giggs
----------Berbatov----Rooney----------
---------------Adebayor---------------
Eboue--Fabregas--Song---Nasri--Walcott
Gibbs------Djourou----Toure------Sagna
----------------Almunia---------------
United's goalfest against Spurs will send out a warning to the Gunners' makeshift defence. Rooney tore Spurs apart playing on the left, bagging two goals and three assists, so Sagna will have
his work cut out. Gibbs could struggle against Ronaldo, but if the latter decides to roam then Arsenal may profit. Eboue could be picked for his defensive experience. Arsenal have something of
a selection dilemma, with Eboue, Denilson, Diaby and Bendtner all possibilities for the last spot in the team. The rest picks itself, with Djourou set to replace the "injured" Silvestre. Expect
a mobile, tenacious central midfield trio of Fabregas, Nasri and Song to press United high up the pitch, with Fabregas pushing up to support Adebayor. Nasri is being groomed in a new holding
role in the midfield, where his energy, tackling and passing will be crucial to Arsenal's ability to hit United on the counter. A potential weakness could be Evra, who was given the runaround
by Aaron Lennon at the weekend, and could be exposed by the pace of Walcott. Rafael da Silva is another option at right-back, whilst Tevez could be a better choice than Berbatov up front.
Arsenal usually get the better of United when Ferguson sets him team out to attack, so Arsenal might nick this one.
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Freddy said:Also never bet on a match involving your own side. Too messy!
obaino said:i love ibra and i think he's better than eto'o, for now cos eto'o have realy pl...
Freddy said:I'm curious to see if English sides maintain their domination. But some pretty ...
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On The Champions League is boring