La Liga 2011-12

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

3 hours without a goal for messi is actually considered a drought isn't it How lucky are we to be watching this man play.

[RichC]

first time he's turned up against Barca and to be honest he wasn't brilliant last night either.

[danperkins]

Dan in the nicest possible way

That is complete and utter Bollocks.

I suggest you watch the last 4 or 5 games. As it is the first I have heard from anyone to suggest that Ronaldo has been brilliant againt Barca in any game. In fact most say the complete opposite, bit of a lost journey man.

nah i'll just stick with my opinion thanks dude

He scored in the last 3 or 4 games against them and worked his bollox off. Commentators and pundits said exactly what i just said about his performances of recent.

I am no fan of the the bloke as a person, but he performances against Barca in the last few games have been a dramatic improvement.

The bloke is a world class footballer & all this flat track bully nonsense that some people say is very untrue.

IMO i think certain people giving their opinions more on the man as a person, rather than his ability.

[Norbs]

3 hours without a goal for messi is actually considered a drought isn't it How lucky are we to be watching this man play.

It sounds a long time until you translate it to 'two games'

[Nick77]

Also the substitution of Xavi was mind bottling to say the least. You pick your best team against the likes of Real Madrid - end of.

[Chris]

Also the substitution of Xavi was mind bottling to say the least. You pick your best team against the likes of Real Madrid - end of.

To be fair, the man he put on for him scored within about 2 minutes. And it got Iniesta inside who was involved in the goal.

I think he's struggling a bit at the mo with injury. Hopefully he can get a big performance from somewhere tomorrow night.

[danperkins]

Barca have looked pretty jaded in last few games. It'll be interesting to see if Chelsea can keep that work rated up on such a massive pitch at Nou Camp. I can see Chelsea getting one on the counter or from set piece, but i can't see Barca not winning at home.

[RichC]

I think Barca need to score 3, unless they revert back to Pique and Puyol at CB I really think we'll see Chelsea nick a goal.

Pique seems to have fallen out with Pep massively though so not sure he'll be playing.

[Craig_H]

I think Barca need to score 3, unless they revert back to Pique and Puyol at CB I really think we'll see Chelsea nick a goal.

Pique seems to have fallen out with Pep massively though so not sure he'll be playing.

Guardiola would be seriously cutting off his nose if he drops Pique again.

[Alex]

Its weird, because Pique was arguably the best Centre Back in the world last year. Absolutely immense.

[RichC]

Guardiola would be seriously cutting off his nose if he drops Pique again.

surely got to start him, makes a huge difference playing those two at CB.

[Darkon]

Barca have to small a squad and especially at the back and it's hurting them here towards the end.

Pique have been a bit injured lately and been spared a bit due to that. When proper fit he will be back in CD.

[Skrtelmania]

Does anyone know what the supposed fall out between Pep and Pique was about (rumours will do).

Barca look physically and mentally knackered, dreading tomorrow night now but hopefully they can raise it.

[Craig_H]

Heard something about it being to do with the Shakira effect, Pique not being fully focused perhaps?

[PTP]

yeah it looks like it's catching up with them - they've played easily the best, most consistent highest standard of football i've ever seen for over two years or so

they need a couple of top defenders to toughen them up/give the squad some depth and another 'type' of striker to give them another option.

Barca's problem is (and i did feel this at the start of the season)

when Plan A doesn't work, revert to Plan A - now usually 9 times out of 10 Plan A works, but every now an then Plan doesn't work and they don't know what to do.

I'm not suggesting they should start hoofing it - but so many times this season, like the last two games, they get forward, keep possesion superbly, and then get to the edge of the area and just stop.....everyone wants to drop off and get the ball at their feet. Sometimes they need something a little more direct - someone in the box, so when Alves gets in acres of space down the right hand side (which he does so often), he's got a target to cross too.