Chelsea v Barcelona Semi-Final 2nd Leg Preview

By: chris | May 6th, 2009

Considering how things went in the first leg, can we finally say “this is the game we’ve been waiting for”? After all, both teams will have to chase the result, right? Barcelona as it’s in their nature – and they must backup all their post-game missiles towards Guus’ anti-football – and Chelsea in front of their home fans, where even there they can’t expect to keep the attacking juggernaut scoreless for another 120 minutes.

And therein lies the problem for Chelsea: they can’t expect to keep Barca scoreless for another 120 minutes unless they pull of an even stauncher defensive performance than the one in Catalonia. Therefore, they’ll have to open up the game somehow – playing themselves right into Barca’s wheelhouse. Making this game perhaps even more dangerous at home than the Camp Nou leg and the discussion revolving around a certain greedy leftback of the English persuasion. Can the returning Ashley Cole have the success against Lionel Messi and Dani “I Never Pass Up The Chance To Fake An Injury” Alves that Bosingwa enjoyed? It’s a tall, tall ask, no matter how highly you rate Ca$hley.

The Spanish discussion will also start in the back, their Achilles heel – if you can call it that – before the injury to Rafa Marquez and suspension of Carles Puyol due to yellow card accumulation. Now it’s the gaping bullseye for which Chelsea will be aiming. If Martin Caceres plays they’ve got Bambi in headlights up against Drogba. If leftback Eric Abidal starts next to Gerard Pique they’ve got…leftback Eric Abidal in central defense – just ask Les Bleus fans how well that’s gone in recent times.

Suffice it to say, Barcelona’s possession machine will be working overdrive today to ensure that “the best defense is a good offense” holds true. If not, they might just be watching a reverse of the scoreline they enjoyed this weekend, and we may be due for another ManU v Chelsea Champions League Final.

So will the young prodigy, Pep, defeat the old master, Guus? Will defense win championships and the most glorious of attacks leave us nothing but a symphonic parting gift? Will Spain give Europe a fighting chance or is it still the run of England?

And is it destiny or is history bound to repeat itself? Will Barcelona and Manchester United, clearly the two best teams in Europe, meet each other as destiny has marked all year? Or will Chelsea, and John Terry, be given the chance to exact revenge on United away from the frozen pitch of Moscow in sunny Rome?

Prediction: “We’ve had this date with each other from the beginning.” 3-1 Barcelona.

Betting Odds:

Chelsea: 13/8
Draw: 23/10
Barcelon: 13/8

More betting odds here.

Bonus Prediction: Franck Rivery will be spotted in the stands wearing a t-shirt which says “Champions League winner gets the trophy and Franck Ribery”. Or the French equivalent.

Liveblog: Will be here.

Some Related Stories:

Category: Champions League

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Mark

Chelsea r brill!! should have won 2nd leg.Barcelona kept on cheating like mad.
Musab

Chelsea 1-0 Barca

90 minutes of defense in which Chelsea manage to find a goal on a corner kick. Eat that Platini.
Laurie

In Abidal's defense, it was only in the Italy game that he truly sucked in central defense. He's played there before (and I think since) and not looked half bad.

I have to go for Barca on this one (please, please) because I just can't stand the thought of another Chelsea-ManU final. Barca 2-1.
matt

i guess we'll get to see if barca can pick apart a team that isn't as terrible as real madrid or lyon. i hope they make it through not so much cause i like barca...i just dont like chelsea.
Al

I secretly want Barca to win but if "the best man wins" (best team in this case) then I'm indifferent, whether if it's Barca or Chelsea that gives it their all and wins. As long as it's not a boring and pathetic game like the second leg of Man U vs. Barca last year.
Drabik

I think Chelsea 2 - 1. I am hoping that Sam is right though 6-5 would be awesome!
Sam

When we talk about opening up, both teams have the same problem: exposure.

Given Chelsea's difficulty to breach, you'd have to concede the slight advantage to them. But the difference will be which team takes one of their first 2 or three chances.

Balancing emotion will be a challenge for both sides, because mistakes will be costly. I'm hoping for 6-5, Barcelona, but we'll probably get 1-Nil, Chelsea
John

2-1 Chelsea (ugh)
catalanbarçafan

A defensive strategy can work even if you make some mistakes. An offensive strategy becomes a nightmare if your hands are trembling (like Arsenal yesterday). This is a drawback for offensive teams when they reach important matches (such as CL’s semis), and historically has buried the hopes of amazing teams such as the Clockwork Orange. However I know this Barça quite well and they are not going to doubt now. They are going to stick to their philosophy and if they fall they will fall with their boots on. Força Barça!