Barca Away

[sergeyMS]

I`m starting from off-topic;

It`s Grant to be blamed for Ivanovic time spent on the bench.

When Ivanovic was signed he got an injury and after recovering Grant failed to find enough balls to put Ivanovic in squad. And later for some reasons Bosingwa was signed and, of course, he was taken as 'a player better than Ivanovic' on the pre-judjing basis.

But It`s very good Brinaslav got the chance and used it superbly. I hope he could move on, backing on his recent perfomance.

Gerrard looked like a fool, when Ivanovic headed 2nd one, because it was he who tried to mark Ivanovic with a silly jump for 3 inches over the ground.

Totally, we`re not Milan (a mob of old mu*pets), that`s why I think we`re through to semis already.

And Terry with Marques (he got yellow deliberately) both have started their preparations for semi-final.

Maybe I`m wrong, but we`re starting away, don`t we?

And from I`ve seen yesterday Barca is settling in the middle with short-passes and excellent movement of Xavi and Iniesta and then directing the ball on flanks for Henry on the left flank or for Messi on the right flank.

Henry here is a more cautious choice with an option to cross the ball for Messi or Alves (depend on positioning and anticipation skills of the opposition left defender), when the ball directed for Messi on the right, who is touching the ball with his magic left leg, immideately makes Alves to overlap and Eto to move into Messi direction in order to play one two with Messi or redirect the ball for Alves or to rush forward and get through ball from Messi.

And that`s the sort of things they can do with shut eyes.

If Alves is always running forward, Pyuol opposite to him, always sitting back to provide an opportunity for diagonal marking if the possesion is given away and counterattack is running on Alves` right flank.

So, for me, next steps should be done.

We should play 4-3-3 with 2 central midfielders always backing up our full-backs and Essien commanding in the middle area and should never be shifted to the RB position. And Malouda on the left wing should do his best to prevent Alves overlapping, which will be very difficult to stop for Ashley and Lampard backing up him.

Also I hope both Ivanovic and Ashley will be fit for that game, they`re both fast with good positioning and anticipation skills.

Ashley should and can make things difficult for Messi.

We should get rid of slow, hug players, like Ballack and Alex, for that game. They`ll be completely useless, that`s one more reason to play 4-3-3.

And Drogba should be up-front with Anelka on the right, that`s areas where hugness and strength are always welcome, because their defenders aren`t big enough.

So the best choice for me is:

Ivanovic....Carvalho....Terry.....Ashley

.....Mikel.......Essien......Lampard

....Anelka.....Drogba.......Malouda

[Tea Bar Boy]

Let's finish the Liverpool job first and then see who we will play when / if we get through to the next round

[Gem]

Let's finish the Liverpool job first and then see who we will play when / if we get through to the next round

Spot on!

[Lofty]

Quite right. Last night was a fantastic result but we're not through yet. Both Hiddink and Drogba are advising caution and they are quite right to do so. For anyone who needs any kind of reminder of the danger of taking anything for granted, just look back at what happened to Milan in the second half. And after all, the home leg is only the second half of the tie.

This is a ridiculous thread and should be deleted.

[sexelk]

catch yourselves on

there isn't a hope in hell Liverpool will score 3 goals at the bridge. we're already through

[sergeyMS]

This is a ridiculous thread and should be deleted.

Express yourself carefully.

It`s not finished? Maybe, but I wonder what is are the odds at bookies for Liverpool to pass Chelsea?

Would like to make a bet? Run faster.....

And I`ve written about Milan in this topic. And they have just 15 min to get concentrated for 2nd half, we have a week distance.

[Lofty]

Express yourself carefully.

I did. In plain English. This is a ridiculous thread. Assuming that we have already qualified is dangerous.

Get the second leg out of the way first. Then IF we qualify, talk about the semi-final.

Edited April 9, 2009 by Lofty

[Tea Bar Boy]

catch yourselves on

there isn't a hope in hell Liverpool will score 3 goals at the bridge. we're already through

I hope you are wrong but of course they can and it is foolhardy and stupid to think anything else .

I am sure Liverpool fans were planning a trip to Wembley when they were 2-0 up at halftime in 97 and playing us off the park ............

[sexelk]

I hope you are wrong

;) lol

like sergey said, it's not in the middle of a match where complacency will can set in. we have a week to prepare for this match and with the way we completely negated liverpools attack last night, i am 110% confident we will not concede 3 goals

Edited April 9, 2009 by sexelk

[sergeyMS]

I did. In plain English. This is a ridiculous thread. Assuming that we have already qualified is dangerous.

Get the second leg out of the way first. Then IF we qualify, talk about the semi-final.

Look, you must be aware you live in a democratic country, instead of us - russian communists, and on that basis people here can discuss matters they want to discuss. It will be unfair if somebody would have to ask you, before talking on some matter.

It`s not something obscene as well. So if your pants are wet, you`re shaking awaiting 2nd leg and you can think nothing more, then leave it to yourself.

And let other people to talk what they want to talk about.

Thank you.

Edited April 9, 2009 by sergeyMS

[Valerie]

So if your pants are wet, you`re shaking awaiting 2nd leg

You don't know Lofty very well, do you ;)

[Lofty]

Look, you must be aware you live in a democratic country, instead of us - russian communists, and on that basis people here can discuss matters they want to discuss. It will be unfair if somebody would have to ask you, before talking on some matter.

It`s not something obscene as well. So if your pants are wet, you`re shaking awaiting 2nd leg and you can think nothing more, then leave it to yourself.

And let other people to talk what they want to talk about.

Thank you.

Yes you're quite right. This is a democratic country. And nominally, at least, we have free speech in this country. However, this is football we are talking about. And to state that a 2-0 lead can not be overturned is blatantly ridiculous. 2-0 leads have been overturned many a time, often in a matter of a few minutes. They will have 90 minutes or more. Difficult but by no means impossible. You say that we have a full week to prepare? So do they. Or am I missing something somewhere?

I'm not sh*tting myself. In fact I'll be shocked, amazed and hugely disappointed if we don't go through to the semi's. And yes of course you can talk about whatever the hell you like. However, what I'm telling you NOW is that your assumption that we are already through, is ridiculous.

[sergeyMS]

Yes you're quite right. This is a democratic country. And nominally, at least, we have free speech in this country. However, this is football we are talking about. And to state that a 2-0 lead can not be overturned is blatantly ridiculous. 2-0 leads have been overturned many a time, often in a matter of a few minutes. They will have 90 minutes or more. Difficult but by no means impossible. You say that we have a full week to prepare? So do they. Or am I missing something somewhere?

I'm not sh*tting myself. In fact I'll be shocked, amazed and hugely disappointed if we don't go through to the semi's. And yes of course you can talk about whatever the hell you like. However, what I'm telling you NOW is that your assumption that we are already through, is ridiculous.

I don`t want to dissapoint you Lofty, but you`ve made a math mistake here. 2 goals would give Liverpool nothing.

They need at least three.

Now I`m ready to get some examples from you when a team in the 1/4 CL stage was going away with the task of scoring three goals and have had finally managed to do it for latest several years.

My memories are next (not 1/4 though):

Chelsea - Barca 2006-07 1-2(h) => 1-1(a) - Chelsea out

R.Madrid - Arsenal 2006-07 0-1(h) => 0-1(a) - Madrid out

Barcelona - Liverpool 2007-08 => 1-2(h) => 0-0(a) - Barcelona out

Sporting - Bayern 2008-09 0-5(h) => 0-?(a) - Sporting out

[Lofty]

Now you're splitting hairs and getting away from the original argument. They are 2 goals down and would need to win 3-0 or 4-2, for instance, which surely doesn't have to be quoted every time the matter of qualification is discussed?

As for your statistics: History means nothing.

[sexelk]

As for your statistics: History means nothing.

it does show how big a task Liverpool face:

2 times in the last 5 years we have conceded 3 goals at home. a 4-3 win over leicester and a 3-3 draw with spuds (both in cup)

[jordanl5182]

Ivanovic....Carvalho....Terry.....Ashley

.....Mikel.......Essien......Lampard

....Anelka.....Drogba.......Malouda

I wouldn't play Anelka on the right - he'd be useless. Would have to be Kalou or Quaresma.

And Malouda on the left wing should do his best to prevent Alves overlapping, which will be very difficult to stop for Ashley and Lampard backing up him.

As for Malouda tracking back...dream on!! The right side of their attack will be very dangerous if Florent is on the left, especially considering Ashley isnt in the best form of his life.

Edited April 9, 2009 by jordanl5182

[sergeyMS]

Now you're splitting hairs and getting away from the original argument. They are 2 goals down and would need to win 3-0 or 4-2, for instance, which surely doesn't have to be quoted every time the matter of qualification is discussed?

As for your statistics: History means nothing.

I`m not getting away from original argument, what are you talking about?

It`s a modern football. CL playoff stage. Teams trying to do their best defending in away game and trying to score an away goal. They`re usually very happy when managed to do it, like Arsenal and Porto currently.

Sometimes they don`t manage to achieve it and they have a task to score at home, which they accept with awareness, confidence and belief and keep it until things are going their way.

We`ve done an amazing job yesterday winning +2, scoring 3 away goals. We`ve overplayed them away, conceeding first and making a wonderful comeback later. Our morale is superb now, while Pool is running out of ideas what to do in the away game.

After Lofty appears and states : Nothing is decided, the miracle can happen any moment, and we could be out of CL losing 5-7. Don`t open bottles until the next final whistle.

A ridiculous statement? Bul*ocks!!!! I`m ready to go on with you next Wednesday. Be patient please.

Edited April 9, 2009 by sergeyMS

[dkw]

please delete this thread. the tie isnt over yet and to pre-empt any victory is ridiculous at best and arrogant at worst. this is the kind of thing we would all be on our high horses about if the dippers had it on their stes.

[Lofty]

I`m not getting away from original argument, what are you talking about?

It`s a modern football. CL playoff stage. Teams trying to do their best defending in away game and trying to score an away goal. They`re usually very happy when managed to do it, like Arsenal and Porto currently.

Sometimes they don`t manage to achieve it and they have a task to score at home, which they accept with awareness, confidence and belief and keep it until things are going their way.

We`ve done an amazing job yesterday winning +2, scoring 3 away goals. We`ve overplayed them away, conceeding first and making a wonderful comeback later. Our morale is superb now, while Pool is running out of ideas what to do in the away game.

After Lofty appears and states : Nothing is decided, the miracle can happen any moment, and we could be out of CL losing 5-7. Don`t open bottles until the next final whistle.

A ridiculous statement? Bul*ocks!!!! I`m ready to go on with you next Wednesday. Be patient please.

Look. It's quite simple. You are talking as if we have already qualified.

We have not.

[Tea Bar Boy]

it does show how big a task Liverpool face:

2 times in the last 5 years we have conceded 3 goals at home. a 4-3 win over leicester and a 3-3 draw with spuds (both in cup)

does the 4-4 with Villa not count ?

[sexelk]

alright then 3. but it doesn't change the fact that none of those games we lost by 2 goals

[sergeyMS]

Nobody makes you to post here, what`s your problem?

We`ll talk about Barca right now, and you`ll join next week and that`s fine. no?

Edited April 9, 2009 by sergeyMS

[Tea Bar Boy]

alright then 3. but it doesn't change the fact that none of those games we lost by 2 goals

this season Man Utd , Liverpool and Roma have all beaten us by a 2 or more goal margin .

Look lets get the job done then look forward to the next round we have all learnt the hard way never to take anything for granted in football especially Chelsea

[Nibs]

No way should we even be talking about the semi final or Barca yet.

3-1 was a fantastic result last night and it was a performance to match the result. IF we had managed to convert a couple of the other chances and were leading 5-1, then I might concede it's game over.

But we all know about Liverpool and the luck they get in Europe. We know JT is missing. I don't think we'll miss JT the player as we have good cover but we could well miss JT the skipper who is there to calm things and lead us SHOULD we go a goal behind early like last night. Lets not forget, it was only recently that they 4-1 at Old Trafford so nothing is impossible.

I think it's us older fans who can't help but be a bit pessimistic as we've seen it all down the years.

But the bubbly is on ice :D

[Lofty]

Nobody makes you to post here, what`s your problem?

We`ll talk about Barca right now, and you`ll join next week and that`s fine. no?

Ok. I'm losing patience with this sh*te.

My problem is that you are coming over like the worst kind of JCL. A glory hunting, arrogant - "yay we won the first leg we're already through" type twat.