Chelsea vs Liverpool Match thread

[DannyMan2006]

What the ****?

Thats worse than my comment. Barcelona who average 3.1 goals a game. Barcelona who are ripping a new arsehole to every other ****ing team in Spain, who glided past Bayern without going into second gear. It will take a huge lot for Chelsea - with that sort of defending, to win. If I was Malouda, I would think twice about gallivanting up with the best right back in the world standing opposite you.

Physically Joe! Barcelona are the best footballing team in Europe, but I don't expect Chelsea to let them play their pretty little patterns.

It was thought by many in the footballing world that Bayern would give Barca a game to their strength advantage, but Barca proved them wrong. But Chelsea have class as well as strength in their team and a desire and hunger running through their team that makes their big players turn up for the Champions League.

It will be a very tight game for me.

[Joe King]

Well Chelsea will sruggle without Cole as Messi plays on the right. Have to see who they stick there before making my mind up. But Messi will find out that against English teams you need more than just fast feet.

Lionel Messi has played against three English clubs - ourselves, Chelsea and United. I remember when Barcelona played Chelsea, he tore a new one in Del Horno, got him sent off. He was only 17 at the time. Against us, he was on injections and I don't think he was fully fit that season at all. Against United, he was Barca's best player. It was a shame that Eto'o couldn't function that day.

Messi by far, best player in the world, Eto'o back in scoring form, Henry is loving Barcelona now, Xavi, one of the best midfielders along with little Iniesta and Daniel Alves

[Joe King]

Physically Joe! Barcelona are the best footballing team in Europe, but I don't expect Chelsea to let them play their pretty little patterns.

It was thought by many in the footballing world that Bayern would give Barca a game to their strength advantage, but Barca proved them wrong. But Chelsea have class as well as strength in their team and a desire and hunger running through their team that makes their big players turn up for the Champions League.

It will be a very tight game for me.

Physically goes out of the window in Europe. You have **** refereeing like we seen today which would favour Barcelona. They have much more pace in all areas. The only problem is Valdez. He makes Cech look unbeatable.

[DannyMan2006]

Lionel Messi has played against three English clubs - ourselves, Chelsea and United. I remember when Barcelona played Chelsea, he tore a new one in Del Horno, got him sent off. He was only 17 at the time. Against us, he was on injections and I don't think he was fully fit that season at all. Against United, he was Barca's best player. It was a shame that Eto'o couldn't function that day.

Messi by far, best player in the world, Eto'o back in scoring form, Henry is loving Barcelona now, Xavi, one of the best midfielders along with little Iniesta and Daniel Alves

Physically goes out of the window in Europe. You have **** refereeing like we seen today which would favour Barcelona. They have much more pace in all areas. The only problem is Valdez. He makes Cech look unbeatable.

For me, Messi ran into blind alleys agaisnt the Mancs and Barca as a whole never looked like scoring.

And strength makes a difference in every league, and will amke it count in Europe because Chelsea will play the way all English teams play against a very good tidy team. High intensity and a very physichal game. In fact, Barca have been victims themselves on more than one occasion, to both us and Chelsea.

[Joe King]

Barcelona play a very similar, in fact carbon copy of the way Spain play. Have Spain encountered any problems recently? No.

[Craig_H]

Physically goes out of the window in Europe. You have **** refereeing like we seen today which would favour Barcelona. They have much more pace in all areas. The only problem is Valdez. He makes Cech look unbeatable.

When he said physically, i think he meant in terms of keeping their shape, being compact and standing upto Barca's pretty football. Us aside, Chelsea are the most equipped side in Europe to nullify Barcelona's style of play.

I cant call it really, like most games at the highest level, it'll depend on who turns up on the night and who goes missing.

[Bari]

For me, Messi ran into blind alleys agaisnt the Mancs and Barca as a whole never looked like scoring.

And strength makes a difference in every league, and will amke it count in Europe because Chelsea will play the way all English teams play against a very good tidy team. High intensity and a very physichal game. In fact, Barca have been victims themselves on more than one occasion, to both us and Chelsea.

I disagree, he's was not selfish enough, I kept on urging him on to shoot that whole game, but he kept on laying off a pass to a team-mate, the sooner he learns how to shoot and becomes selfish the better.

[Craig_H]

Barcelona play a very similar, in fact carbon copy of the way Spain play. Have Spain encountered any problems recently? No.

That's because there are very very few international sides that combine the ability to be compact/snuff teams out - and also the ability to threaten consistently at the other end.

The way i see it, Barca play the best football in europe when they're allowed to play. Defensively though, they're vulnerable to physical threats.

Chelsea's defence is usually on the money, they're most vulnerable to aerial threats into the box, but that's not Barca's way.

[DannyMan2006]

Barcelona play a very similar, in fact carbon copy of the way Spain play. Have Spain encountered any problems recently? No.

I can see why you envisage a Barca win, but I tell you it will be close. In Europe Spain are the only quality side at present. In the Champions League there are a few exceptional teams who can win it.

And in Europe how often do Spain come up against teams who play like a premier league team? Only once, and in that they played an England team with over half their team out, including Ferdinand, Terry, Gerrard and Rooney.

[Joe King]

That's because there are very very few international sides that combine the ability to be compact/snuff teams out - and also the ability to threaten consistently at the other end.

The way i see it, Barca play the best football in europe when they're allowed to play. Defensively though, they're vulnerable to physical threats.

Chelsea's defence is usually on the money, they're most vulnerable to aerial threats into the box, but that's not Barca's way.

Defensively, absolutely Barcelona are vulnerable. Espanyol exploited that earlier in the season but Barcelona are so vigorous in their work and possession is key in these games. They know what to do with the ball unlike teams who have the ball for long periods and don't. They are in better shape than the team that won the Champions League a few years ago - I expect them to do Chelsea at the Nou Camp.

[DannyMan2006]

I disagree, he's was not selfish enough, I kept on urging him on to shoot that whole game, but he kept on laying off a pass to a team-mate, the sooner he learns how to shoot and becomes selfish the better.

Well in effect you agree. The whole Barca side had chances where they could have turned inside and gone for the jugular. Instead they "Did an Arsenal" and tried to carve open the Mancs and pass it into the net.

I've seen nothing from Barcelona this season to suggest they will play in any other way, though of course there are differences in tactics, the essence of playing is the same.

[DannyMan2006]

I cant call it really, like most games at the highest level, it'll depend on who turns up on the night and who goes missing.

Yeah, I'd have Barca as favourites as would everyone else, but it depends who turns up and who gets the big reffing descions.

It will not be a walk over.