Sami Hyypia

[Kopite_Colin]

I'm not saying (or forgetting) what Sami has done for us - he's been probably been pound for pound our most successful signing of the last 15 years or so. But he isn't the best on the turn now, against pacy forwards who can dribble - that's obvious. I agree we probably need to play 4-5-1 in the Nou Camp, and probably need Alonso, Masher, Momo and SG all to play in MF against Barca. That should be sufficient protection. Agger looked as though he was struggling against Martins for pace on Sat, but I'd play him for his ball retention ability against Barca.

[ARIMAN]

Hyypia is a big time player

And been written off - time after time

Play Agger at home when we need to push up the picture to score goals

At stadium nou, we`ll be pinned to our penalty area - and sami can dominant (in the air and the ground)

[tomasjj]

At stadium nou, we`ll be pinned to our penalty area - and sami can dominant (in the air and the ground)

Yes.
He clears everything that comes into the box, low or high.

[Kopite_Colin]

What makes you think Sami will dominate on the ground against Ronaldinho, Deco, Messi, Guily, Iniesta?

[tomasjj]

What makes you think Sami will dominate on the ground against Ronaldinho, Deco, Messi, Guily, Iniesta?

Not one on ones, but crosses and passes into the box, he clears them.
Our fullbacks will have a tough task being the first defenders up against Messi and Ronny.

[AFII]

When Hyypia have played we have let in 21 goals this season and kept 10 clean sheets in 23 games.

When Agger have played we have let in 22 goals this seaon and kept 15 clean sheets in 28 games.

[Kopite_Colin]

I think we'll double up against both Messi and Ronnie:

Finnan & SG on the right and Aurelio and Riise on the left.

[ARIMAN]

When has he let us down in a big game

I`m might be upsetting a few but JC has let us down a few big games down the years

Sami has the experience for this game. And even if Barca play mobile one-two, one touch football, it`ll be MS, XA, SG or even JM who`ll be breaking up play/making tackles.

You dont expect you CB to be doing that, because you`d be screwed - one missed tackle and it`ll be a) Goal b) Penalty c) Red card

[AFII]

Not one on ones, but crosses and passes into the box, he clears them.
Our fullbacks will have a tough task being the first defenders up against Messi and Ronny.

Barca don't put a lot of crosses into the box so we won't need Hyypia's strenght in the air against Barca. The only good header they have is Puyol.

[tomasjj]

I think we'll double up against both Messi and Ronnie:

Finnan & SG on the right and Aurelio and Riise on the left.

We have to do that. It's evident in my book.
We do it to any half decent wingers anyway.

[ARIMAN]

Barca don't put a lot of crosses into the box so we won't need Hyypia's strenght in the air against Barca. The only good header they have is Puyol.

John Terry was excellent against Barca - he is slow. But he is a dominant player, experienced and a leader the others will look too when we are inevitable "under the pump" for 60 - 70 minutes


Just like sami

[AFII]

Nou Camp is the biggest pitch in the World. It have the maximum width and lenght. Hyypia isn't quick enough to cover the extra ground there.

[tomasjj]

Nou Camp is the biggest pitch in the World. It have the maximum width and lenght. Hyypia isn't quick enough to cover the extra ground there.

The box is the same size though..and that is were Sami calls the shots.

[SouthAfricaRed]

Interesting option this one

Glad I'm not Rafa that has to make the choice

[rushscored4]

I'd play 5-3-3 against Barca with three wingbacks and two players in the hole...