Barcelona.......

[Parm]

I think that it will be a 4-5-1 with Bellamy alone upfront.

------------Reina
Finnan--Carra----Agger----Arbeloa
------Alonso----Sissoko
Gerrard-----Kuyt----------Riise
------------Bellamy

Sorry about another starting XI

[Maestro]

I think that it will be a 4-5-1 with Bellamy alone upfront.

------------Reina
Finnan--Carra----Agger----Arbeloa
------Alonso----Sissoko
Gerrard-----Kuyt----------Riise
------------Bellamy

Sorry about another starting XI

Where's Insua?

[AFII]

Where's Insua?

He will play in the final against Valencia and score the winning goal

[Taffy]

I'd play the Barca return leg just as we did out there.

We must keep it tight at the back, with Momo sweeping up ahead of the defence, and also hit at them hard when we attack with pace and power and in numbers.

If we play it as we did out there I can't see us losing out.

Here's hoping!

[Joe Le Toff]

I think the starting line-up will be the same as it was at the Nou Camp, and almost the same tactically. We need to get in amongst them in midfield (Momo and Xabi) snapping at their heels and not let them stroke it around and dictate the tempo, if we let them do that we'll get murdered. Tight to them on the flanks, double up at all times, same as before, I think Arbeloa will start again.
I think we need to be slightly more attack minded and on the front foot so that they have to defend which they dont like, if we can do that and use Bellamys pace to turn the centre backs around facing their own goal we'll get some joy i think.
I fancy us strongly to score, although i think they will too. For me, its who scores first, what im dreading is that they do and they we get nervous and drop deeper and invite them onto us, there isnt a team in the world IMO who could survive if Barca are attacking you constantly.
I dont think Crouch will play, and neither do i think this is a game for him, Bellamy and Kuyt played well together last leg and exposed them at the back, if Crouch plays then it means that most of our strikers work will be done in front of their back four, and we're hitting balls to Crouch who is a static target which will suit Barca down to the ground. If we get into a situation where we are under pressure, then we need someone up there who can hold it up and let us break out if need be, and the best we have at that is Kuyt IMO.
I don’t think Gonzalez will get near to getting a game either. At very best, if we’re seriously under the cosh with 10 mins to go, then maybe he’ll be considered as an outlet, but nothing more.

The bottom line when playing Barca is they’ve got to be harassed from the first whistle, right up their backsides when they’ve got the ball, niggle at them, force mistakes, unsettle them, turn their defence and get them to worry about our attacking options rather than the other way around.

With the crowd playing a major part in the game no doubt (God, I wish I could be there) I don’t think the lads will be or get complacement, and I fancy us to get a result, I cant decide 1-1 or 2-1, ill wait till nearer the game, but whatever the score, I predict a famous victory.

[Parm]

I think the starting line-up will be the same as it was at the Nou Camp, and almost the same tactically. We need to get in amongst them in midfield (Momo and Xabi) snapping at their heels and not let them stroke it around and dictate the tempo, if we let them do that we'll get murdered. Tight to them on the flanks, double up at all times, same as before, I think Arbeloa will start again.
I think we need to be slightly more attack minded and on the front foot so that they have to defend which they dont like, if we can do that and use Bellamys pace to turn the centre backs around facing their own goal we'll get some joy i think.
I fancy us strongly to score, although i think they will too. For me, its who scores first, what im dreading is that they do and they we get nervous and drop deeper and invite them onto us, there isnt a team in the world IMO who could survive if Barca are attacking you constantly.
I dont think Crouch will play, and neither do i think this is a game for him, Bellamy and Kuyt played well together last leg and exposed them at the back, if Crouch plays then it means that most of our strikers work will be done in front of their back four, and we're hitting balls to Crouch who is a static target which will suit Barca down to the ground. If we get into a situation where we are under pressure, then we need someone up there who can hold it up and let us break out if need be, and the best we have at that is Kuyt IMO.
I don’t think Gonzalez will get near to getting a game either. At very best, if we’re seriously under the cosh with 10 mins to go, then maybe he’ll be considered as an outlet, but nothing more.

The bottom line when playing Barca is they’ve got to be harassed from the first whistle, right up their backsides when they’ve got the ball, niggle at them, force mistakes, unsettle them, turn their defence and get them to worry about our attacking options rather than the other way around.

With the crowd playing a major part in the game no doubt (God, I wish I could be there) I don’t think the lads will be or get complacement, and I fancy us to get a result, I cant decide 1-1 or 2-1, ill wait till nearer the game, but whatever the score, I predict a famous victory.

Are you Rafa in disguise!¬

[Maestro]

Who's great idea was it to merge this thread with one about the first leg?

[aehso]

Decent shout re Gonzalez. Him and Bellamy could be an excellent outlet for us.

As for Xabi, his ability to dictate the pace of the game is crucial against Barca. Wouldnt dream of dropping him.

I'd be surprised if Barca wouldn't pay special attention to Bellamy in the second leg, he was the one who hurt them most in the first.

I wouldn't start with him, I'd have Kuyt & Crouch, both well able to hold up the ball, slow down the pace and allow the rest of the team to push up the pitch.

Also worth remembering how much Puyol and Marquez stuggled to cope with high balls in the first leg.

Maybe bring on Bellamy after 60mins to scare them ...

[Red Chilli]

I'd be surprised if Barca wouldn't pay special attention to Bellamy in the second leg, he was the one who hurt them most in the first.

I wouldn't start with him, I'd have Kuyt & Crouch, both well able to hold up the ball, slow down the pace and allow the rest of the team to push up the pitch.

Also worth remembering how much Puyol and Marquez stuggled to cope with high balls in the first leg.

Maybe bring on Bellamy after 60mins to scare them ...

I think we need Bellamy's pace, another reason why I want Gonzo to start, we need the threat that if Barca push up too much we'll hurt them on the counter. That way they'll hang back early doors and the game will run away from them. Either that or they'll leave lots of space for Bellers and Gonzo to get in behind them.

[knockers]

I've given up second guessing Rafa , whatever team/formation/tactics he selects I fully back. He will have the game plan to get us through I'm sure of it.

[Red_Polo]

Who's great idea was it to merge this thread with one about the first leg?

So that's what's happened, I was wondering why I clicked 'Unread Posts' and ended up reading old posts including one of my own

Agree with knockers about second guessing Rafa. Feck knows what he has planned.

[Johnny]

Up we go!!!!!