Watching Barcelona V Racing

[Nebraska Red]

a few observations.

 

that pitch is huge, we will have to work hard to cover all the spaces.

 

we need a good strong referee. their players do not like the physical stuff and will go down at the drop of a hat.

 

they are not happy with high balls going into the box, maybe Crouch gets a game.

 

their full backs are happier going forward than defending.

 

Ronaldhino is dropping deeper to get the ball and playing some risky passes, maybe we stick MOMO on him for a man to man marking job.

 

0-0 at half time, Racing missed a pen and Barca hit the post.

 

Rijkaard has the easiest job in football, just pick 11 out of that squad and let them play.

[Nebraska Red]

and one other thing , we cannot give away free kicks around the box.

 

toothpick just got tackled, fell down like he was shot, gets up and puts away the free kick.

 

he conned the ref who is our old friend from Istanbul 2005.

[Hassony]

and one other thing , we cannot give away free kicks around the box.

 

toothpick just got tackled, fell down like he was shot, gets up and puts away the free kick.

 

he conned the ref who is our old friend from Istanbul 2005.

good thing we didn't sign niell then

[John am Rhein]

Ronaldhino is dropping deeper to get the ball and playing some risky passes, maybe we stick MOMO on him for a man to man marking job.

 

I don't think that'd work. It's not really Sissoko's type of game.

[Maldini]

Deco and Xavi run the show for them, the build up until the final third generally goes through them. If Momo can disrupt their normal passing rhythm we'll beat them handily. I think they're like Arsenal in that they don't have a plan B.

 

I don't think that'd work. It's not really Sissoko's type of game.

It's EXACTLY the type of game he'll thrive in IMO

[Nebraska Red]

well that was a pretty easy game for Barcelona.

 

Toothpick with 2 goals and Racing caved in and offered little.

 

Barcelona gave run outs to Messi and Guily in the 2nd half , but held Eto'o back. It's a bit scary to see the like s of messi, Eto'o and Giuly on the bench though.

 

We will have our work cut out to get a favorable result over there.

 

Thier crowd is a quiet bunch until they are ahead, they only came to life after the 2nd goal.

[Clay Davis]

Thier crowd is a quiet bunch until they are ahead, they only came to life after the 2nd goal.

 

errrm..errr...

[Nebraska Red]

errrm..errr...

 

surely you don't think the Anfield crowd does likewise?

 

regardless of the score after the first leg, Anfield will be buzzing.

 

the last 2 Champions League winners playing at Anfield is a mouth watering prospect, even for the trilby wearing mingers in the Kemlyn Road.

[John am Rhein]

It's EXACTLY the type of game he'll thrive in IMO

 

I dont think so. Ronaldinho would just pull him out of position continually. Sissoko's not a man-to-man marker type of player - he's a destructive midfield player capable of pressing the opposition and making it very difficult for them to play their game in the center of the field.

[R A Softlad]

Crouchy is a must in this game, even more so now Luis is out.

[Nebraska Red]

Crouchy is a must in this game, even more so now Luis is out.

 

If Crouch does play at the Nou Camp, we will need to get the ball into their box as they do not like challenging for high balls.

 

Crouch will have to keep his arms to himself and just use his height as the continental refs will be all over him if they see him using anything other than his head and feet.

 

If he does play, which player do we put on the wing? maybe Pennant with the freedom to switch sides from right to left when needed?

[Maldini]

I dont think so. Ronaldinho would just pull him out of position continually. Sissoko's not a man-to-man marker type of player - he's a destructive midfield player capable of pressing the opposition and making it very difficult for them to play their game in the center of the field.

I wasn't agreeing with NR's man-marking role, I agree with you in that respect. I do think he'll be a key player against them though, as I said he can nullify their key players and no matter what happens we have to stop Xavi and Deco running the game. He'll play through the centre and we'll win.

 

If Crouch does play at the Nou Camp, we will need to get the ball into their box as they do not like challenging for high balls.

 

Crouch will have to keep his arms to himself and just use his height as the continental refs will be all over him if they see him using anything other than his head and feet.

 

If he does play, which player do we put on the wing? maybe Pennant with the freedom to switch sides from right to left when needed?

I'd play Gerrard on the right and Momo and Xabi in the middle. All Barca's left backs are s****, Stevie could have a field day.

[Ombudsam]

Ronaldhino is dropping deeper to get the ball and playing some risky passes, maybe we stick MOMO on him for a man to man marking job.

 

imagine momo standing on RW all game

[dorgie]

I'd play Gerrard on the right......

 

 

Heathen ! How can you say that when legendary pundits like Andy Gray & Charlie Nicholas say he must play in the middle ! Surely Rafa will listen to them and not you.

[Ombudsam]

errrm..errr...

 

weren't you in goal for racing tonight?

[anny road]

piece of piss

[Ombudsam]

some of the footy played by barca is scary good. We can beat them but we will have to be incredibly solid and make use of the possession we have instead of giving it back to them

[Maldini]

Yeah, if we let them play around us we're dead. They're suspect at the back though. I'm confident we can do them.

[R A Softlad]

Pennant or Gerrard on the right.

[Nebraska Red]

Pennant or Gerrard on the right.

 

 

as much as it pains me to go against the wise and all knowing Andy Gray, I would start Gerrard out wide with Xabi and Momo in the middle and Gonzalez on the left.

 

if it goes belly up, we can always make changes.

[Michael]

I would honestly consider putting Momo, Xabi and Mascherano in front of the back four and let Gerrard, Bellamy and one of Crouch/Kuyt take care of grabbing an away goal.

[Nebraska Red]

I would honestly consider putting Momo, Xabi and Mascherano in front of the back four and let Gerrard, Bellamy and one of Crouch/Kuyt take care of grabbing an away goal.

 

that's always assuming the Premier league has found a spine and a set of testicles by then.

[Ombudsam]

I would honestly consider putting Momo, Xabi and Mascherano in front of the back four and let Gerrard, Bellamy and one of Crouch/Kuyt take care of grabbing an away goal.

 

that's bottling it imo

[Owen1978]

Reina

 

Finnan Carra Agger Aurelio

 

Stevie Momo Sissoko Riise

 

Crouch Kuyt

 

 

We will need hard workers, cos barca will be passing the ball around for fun, kuyt often drops deep which will be ideal to keep the pressure on xavi!

[RedMarauder]

Reina

 

Finnan Carra Agger Aurelio

 

Stevie Momo Sissoko Riise

 

Crouch Kuyt

We will need hard workers, cos barca will be passing the ball around for fun, kuyt often drops deep which will be ideal to keep the pressure on xavi!

 

The Sissoko twins in midfield, that'll show 'em