Team for Barca

[CAD]

That'll do for me.

I was puzzled by Masher's absence yesterday. Did Rafa feel it was too soon for such a big game or did he have a niggle? Anyone?

Aint that the truth! I was more than puzzled. The game screamed for a player like Masher. Momo couldn't cope at all. We needed a player who could handle the ball at CM and create. We couldn't play it through the middle because of him. In a 65/35 pos game at Anfield Momo will NEVER be the answer.

We had this game locked and should have won. In the final analysis it's rather impressive considering how wrong Rafa was this time around. With Masher in there Im sure we would have found the last 5% to close the game sooner.

I would do as Keniget suggest as well.

[Taffy]

I'd go with:

---------------Reina
Finnan--Carragher--Agger--Arbeloa
-----------Sissoko--Alonso
Gerrard----------------------Riise
-----------Crouch--Bellamy

Subs: Dudek, Hyypia, Aurelio, Kuyt, Pennant, Gonzalez, Zenden.


There are stories that Reina's struggling for tomorrow night's game after a knock on Saturday and that Dudek is in line to start if so - I really hope this isn't true!

I'd stick to the same back four as we played out in Barca as they did well and Arbeloa did a good job that night and deserves another start at left back as he should know the Spanish style of play well.

I'd keep Sissoko in because of his ability to break up the opposition's play, and this will be needed tomorrow night as they are going to be dangerous on the break and when they keep possesion of the ball. Therefore, we must use Gerrard on the right again giving him the licence to move forward at will, but if things go wrong then maybe we could switch him to the centre later.

I'd stick Riise on the left as he'll offer defensive cover better than any other option there whilst also giving us some drive down the flank as we break.

The other option we have is Kuyt or Crouch to play alongside Bellamy.

I'd go with Crouch for this one, mainly for two reasons. Firstly, he'll make them panic with his height - and we saw that their defence is there for the taking in the last game. With Bellers alongside him he'll be available to give him knockdowns and he holds it up well too.

The other reason is Kuyt. He's struggling a bit of late, in my opinion, and a rest will do him good. He'll also be a great sub as the game goes on, and it wouldn't surprise me if he scored from the bench late on once they tire.

Whatever the team, it's going to be one huge battle, and as was proved on Saturday, possession is not always vital - it's what you do with the ball when you get into those dangerous positions that counts, and whether we can score the goals when the opportunities arrise. Barca have nothing to lose and have very dangerous players at their disposal - this is no stroll in the park for us after a 1-2 win in the first leg, and they will be well up for it this time.

We must be tight in defence whilst also clinical in attack, and we can't afford to keep missing chances as we did at the weekend. The first goal will be crucial - and I predict that whichever team gets it will go through (I just hope it's us).

[El Jefecito]

I think I'd like to see Speedy starting. In this kind of game he'll have much more time and space than in the EPL. He's fast and we'll be doing a fair amount of counter-attacking.

If not Speedy then Fabio, we really need some quality into the box and frankly I can't see Riise providing that.

[blacky]

Pepe

Finnan
Agger
Carra
Aurelio

Gerrard
Masherano
Alonso
Riise

Crouch
Bellamy

Subs
Dudek
Kuyt
Arbeloa
Pennant
Momo


Think Masherano a far better holding option for this game. Need to be able to keep the ball better!!

[Joe Le Toff]

Were Kuyt dropped, would you have faith in Crouch and Bellamy to:

a) provide good movement to find space and link the play?
b) put the ball in the net, if a chance comes their way?

Crouch, no i dont.
I dont think this is a game for Crouch and i feel certain that Rafa will start the same team as the first leg.
Kuyt isnt playing well at the moment, granted, but i think Crouch is too static for this game and does most of his work in front of the opponents back 4.
IMO Kuyt will play with Bellamy to run the channels etc as usual to stretch Barca at the back and try and get their centre halves facing their own goal.

[jonesie]

-------------- Reina

Finnan---Carragher---Agger---Riise

Gerrard---Sissoko---Alonso---Aurelio

---------Kuyt------Crouch


Riise and Aurelio to swap down the left flank. (Fabio to knock in a free kick, as discussed elsewhere!)

Crouchie to give them nightmares up top, Kuyt to pick up the bits and pieces and Bellamy to come on late when they're (hopefully) chasing the game and giving us space to break.

[Neil Young]

It would be a bit more interesting if one explained why you wanted these lineups... and how you wanted us to play.

I think the same every time I mistakenly open one of these threads.

[bob25]

If Kuyt isn't tired, he should start, otherwise Crouch (obviously). As for how we play - do NOT sit back and counter attack. That would be suicidal. As usual, taking our chances is absolutely vital. Surely Arbeloa will start at left back like the first leg?

I am seriously ****ting bricks about this match. Who knows what can happen when you, or anyone, plays Barca. I'm not taking any notice of their recent form, that's for sure. Tomorrow will be tough, even if they require 2 goals.


---------------Reina---------------

Finnan----Carra---Agger----Arbeloa

Gerrard---Sissoko----Alonso---Riise

----------Kuyt---Bellamy----------

Subs (7 allowed in Europe)...

Dudek, Hyypia, Mascherano, Zenden, Pennant, Gonzalez, Crouch

[Shaggy]

Aurelio, if fit, will certainly be in the 18.

[lfc4ever]

Aurelio, if fit, will certainly be in the 18.

The sooner 18 is brought into the PL rules. the better.

[bob25]

Aurelio, if fit, will certainly be in the 18.

Yes, you're right. Instead of Zenden.

And I love your Alan Partridge quote. ****ing hilarious!

[Shaggy]

The sooner 18 is brought into the PL rules. the better.

Definitely. They do it almost everywhere else, don't they? Spain? Ja? Even in Scotland now, innit?

[Shaggy]

Yes, you're right. Instead of Zenden.

And I love your Alan Partridge quote. ****ing hilarious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SMH5B3EsXM

[Red Chilli]

Definitely. They do it almost everywhere else, don't they? Spain? Ja? Even in Scotland now, innit?

He's off again, smoking his multi-lingual stuff

[Neil Young]

He's off again, smoking his multi-lingual stuff

That's our DruggyAlonso all right.