What: Champions League Semi-final (second leg)
Who: Barcelona (0) vs Chelsea (1) (first leg scores in brackets)
When: Tuesday, 24th April, 2012, at 19:45 UK Time
Where: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
Guardiola Treads Unusual Waters
Josep Guardiola’s side will come into this match against Chelsea having lost two proud records. The 2-1 defeat at home to Real Madrid was not only the first to Jose Mourinho in La Liga, but it also meant Barcelona lost back-to-back games for the first time since May 2009. To put this into further context, Barcelona had lost just twice in 62 matches before travelling to London last week. The Real Madrid defeat also brought to an end a 54-match unbeaten run at the Camp Nou. For all the statistics though, the fact that the loss means Guardiola will fail to win La Liga for the first time since taking over in Catalonia will hurt the most.
Los Cules will know however that they have a great chance of becoming the first team to retain the Champions League since the group stage was introduced, in spite of a 1-0 defeat in London. Though Guardiola’s men lost, there was a feeling that if the game had been longer, the Spaniards would eventually have scored. And with two legged semi-finals, the Catalans at least have another 90 minutes and possibly more. Having carved open Chelsea six times, Barcelona left Stamford Bridge wondering how they had failed to score.
Although Barcelona will be confident of finding the back of the net this time, the concern is that a goal from Chelsea would leave them needing three – but if anyone is capable of such a comeback, it is the reigning champions.
Barcelona’s possible centre back pairing, Javier Mascherano and Carles Puyol, are both a booking away from a suspension that would keep them out of the final if progress is made though. Another tough 90 minutes lie ahead.
The Great Survivors
Chelsea’s performance last week was one of the great all-time defensive displays. Roberto Di Matteo played with a 4-3-2-1 at Stamford Bridge, but with each line playing extremely close together. When out of possession, Chelsea were very narrow and blocked the central areas between the penalty area and the centre circle – where Barcelona are so dangerous. It was tactically superb, Di Matteo astutely identifying how Barcelona punish their opponents and ensuring they were unable to play in those areas.
The English side’s subsequent draw at Arsenal was something of a dress rehearsal for this game; a similar 0-0 will suit Chelsea perfectly. Though Di Matteo and his men deserve credit, their opponents have been left cursing ill fortune. Against Wigan, Chelsea won 2-1 thanks to two offside goals, and then against Fulham drew 1-1 having been awarded a controversial penalty. When playing Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final, Chelsea were given a goal when the ball had not crossed the line, and goalkeeper Petr Cech avoided being sent off despite pulling down Emmanuel Adebayor when clean through on goal.
And though Chelsea conceded just once against Tottenham, Barcelona and Arsenal combined, the Blues saw their woodwork struck five times in those games. They may need similar lucky breaks again at the Camp Nou if they are to make it to the final in Munich.
Recent form
Chelsea;
Chelsea 5-1 Tottenham (15/04; FA Cup)
Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona (18/04; Champions League)
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea (21/04; Premier League)
Barcelona:
Levante 1-2 Barcelona (14/04; La Liga)
Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona (18/04; Champions League)
Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid (21/04; La Liga)
Key absences
Chelsea: Ryan Bertrand (doubt); David Luiz
Barcelona: Gerard Pique (doubt); Alexis Sanchez (doubt); Eric Abidal; David Villa
Players to watch
Barcelona – Lionel Messi: Such nights call for big players, and none can match the magical Messi. Barcelona’s Argentine ace will be pivotal here, if as expected, Chelsea use all 10 outfield players to block the area Los Cules enjoy playing in in front of their penalty area. To break down an organised defence, it is crucial to either use width, or have someone who can take one or two players out of the game with a dribble and thus open the space. Messi is the best in the world because he can do just that. Nights like this are when the Argentine shines, and the stage is set for a reminder of why he may turn out to be the best player ever seen.
Chelsea – Ramires: Few have been as important to Chelsea in recent weeks as the all-action Brazilian. His constant running and forays forward are fundamental for the English club and he was able to nullify Dani Alves in the first leg. Without Alves breaking into space down the right, Barcelona’s threat is limited. In a tight and congested game, as Chelsea will look to make it equally difficult for the hosts to play, and the Blues will look to Ramires to do the same again to his countryman.
Match Prediction
There will be few tactical surprises for anyone at the Camp Nou. Chelsea will seek to block the areas Xavi and Messi like to play in, and will form a defensive, compact and narrow unit. Barcelona will dominate the possession and play their usual patient brand of tiki-taka football. In the first leg, Chelsea’s methods won out. Will they do so again in Barcelona?
Though the Di Matteo’s tactics have been excellent, it said a lot about Barcelona that even when playing against a highly disciplined, physically fit and defensive unit which blocked the space they like to occupy, Guardiola’s side still carved Chelsea open six times. The bar came to Chelsea’s rescue in the first half, and their post in the second. Literally centimetres spared Chelsea a 2-1 defeat or worse at home. It was a similar story against Arsenal at the weekend, with Robin van Persie and Laurent Koscielny both striking their woodwork.
No team can continually rely on the ball hitting the post and bouncing to safety though, and sooner or later something will give – particularly against Barcelona. Barcelona 4-1 Chelsea.
Can Guardiola’s men restore their pride in the Champions League clash Barcelona v Chelsea? Who do you think will win? Make sure you visit OLBG for tips and to compare the current odds and betting markets available at all the important bookmakers.
