CL: Milan - Barca 2-3

[dalitis8]

Any La Liga game currently is more important than this one. First position and we get some easy prey. Second position and we get some good high profile games early on. It's a win-win.

That is what we should be looking for...

I would not very much fancy facing an EPL team in the last 16. We can deal with those sides later on.

[dalitis8]

If we finish 2nd in our group, then we may have to face United, or Chelski, or Arsenal, or Bayern or Man City in the Last 16.

Let's say we draw United, and after an epic struggle we go through. That will seriously undermine our efforts in La Liga.

.

[Catalonian Devil]

That is what we should be looking for...

I would not very much fancy facing an EPL team in the last 16. We can deal with those sides later on.

Actually EPL sides don't look worrying at all, won'y mind facing them in the 16...

[impeh]

I think we'll be missing Alves? which is a blow, will be a tricky game.. i hope Sanchez starts again, and as thiago didnt start at the weekend.. he could be a surprise inclusion?

Everyone will be more than motived enough after the stuff Ibra said..

[Manuel Traquete]

Regardless of the result here, the most important thing is that no one gets injured. Iniesta's thigh problem is enough of a setback already.

Have you people ever heard of first position?

Or would you fancy yet another English opponent in the Last 16 phase?

Why should we fear English opposition? We've won each of our ties vs English teams under Pep. Not to mention English teams are weaker than ever before this season. If there's one thing I'm not afraid of it's English opposition.

Any La Liga game currently is more important than this one. First position and we get some easy prey. Second position and we get some good high profile games early on. It's a win-win.

I agree. Winning the league games is the most important thing now. If we lose at San Siro, basically nothing happens, we're still through to the next CL round. Dropping any more points in La Liga would put us in a terrible position, can't have that happen.

[dalitis8]

Regardless of the result here, the most important thing is that no one gets injured. Iniesta's thigh problem is enough of a setback already.



Why should we fear English opposition? We've won each of our ties vs English teams under Pep. Not to mention English teams are weaker than ever before this season. If there's one thing I'm not afraid of it's English opposition.



I agree. Winning the league games is the most important thing now. If we lose at San Siro, basically nothing happens, we're still through to the next CL round. Dropping any more points in La Liga would put us in a terrible position, can't have that happen.

Let me tell you why.

Since 2005 we have won 3 CLs. We have also been knocked out of the most prestigious club competition in the world 4 times, 3 of which were against English opposition. (Chelsea, Liverpool, United)

In our epic 08/09 season, we came seconds away from being KO again by an English team and were saved only by a miracle We also had to beat United in the Rome final after an astonishing performance by Xaviesta.

Last season, Arsenal were the only team to beat us in Europe, and we came a toe-poke away from having our blaugrana asses KO by 10-man Arsenal. We again had to face the English Champions in the final, whom we beat thanks to a collective masterclass.

For the past half-decade or so, the CL has basically been all about Barca and the EPL. Fact.

[TanzaBarca]

If we lose this game, some other managers will think of finishing second to avoid us. There wont be comfort at all,as being first will draw Barca!

[Myrmecophile]

No Iniesta, no chance.

#doooooooom

[Manuel Traquete]

Let me tell you why.

Since 2005 we have won 3 CLs. We have also been knocked out of the most prestigious club competition in the world 4 times, 3 of which were against English opposition. (Chelsea, Liverpool, United)

In our epic 08/09 season, we came seconds away from being KO again by an English team and were saved only by a miracle We also had to beat United in the Rome final after an astonishing performance by Xaviesta.

Last season, Arsenal were the only team to beat us in Europe, and we came a toe-poke away from having our blaugrana asses KO by 10-man Arsenal. We again had to face the English Champions in the final, whom we beat thanks to a collective masterclass.

For the past half-decade or so, the CL has basically been all about Barca and the EPL. Fact.

Sure, the PL used to be strong. But looking at this year's competition, there's no reason whatsoever why we should fear the likes of Arsenal or Chelsea or even United. City could be a different story, but if they advance it will be in second place of their group.

And we can't really say it's been about Barca and the PL in the past half-decade when the Serie A have won it twice (and the PL only once) in the past 5 editions.

[Myrmecophile]

City are by far the strongest PL team (at the moment, things could change by the KO stages of course) and they'll be finishing 2nd

That said, of course we should aim for 1st. Hopefully we'll get APOEL or someone (although they could finish 1st!).

[Manuel Traquete]

City are by far the strongest PL team (at the moment, things could change by the KO stages of course) and they'll be finishing 2nd

That said, of course we should aim for 1st. Hopefully we'll get APOEL or someone (although they could finish 1st!).

If they overcome Napoli, that is. It's not that straightforward. If they lose at San Paolo they will be kicked out of the competition. If they draw, they'll need Bayern to rest players against them in the last game.

[Catalonian Devil]

Let me tell you why.

Since 2005 we have won 3 CLs. We have also been knocked out of the most prestigious club competition in the world 4 times, 3 of which were against English opposition. (Chelsea, Liverpool, United)

In our epic 08/09 season, we came seconds away from being KO again by an English team and were saved only by a miracle We also had to beat United in the Rome final after an astonishing performance by Xaviesta.

Last season, Arsenal were the only team to beat us in Europe, and we came a toe-poke away from having our blaugrana asses KO by 10-man Arsenal. We again had to face the English Champions in the final, whom we beat thanks to a collective masterclass.

For the past half-decade or so, the CL has basically been all about Barca and the EPL. Fact.

Have you even been watching EPL teams this season?

Past performances don't count for nothing, based on their current level I would be more worried about teams like Bayern Munich.

[catalan force]

i expect our usual away 1-1 thing to continue.

[dalitis8]

Sure, the PL used to be strong. But looking at this year's competition, there's no reason whatsoever why we should fear the likes of Arsenal or Chelsea or even United. City could be a different story, but if they advance it will be in second place of their group.

And we can't really say it's been about Barca and the PL in the past half-decade when the Serie A have won it twice (and the PL only once) in the past 5 editions.

I disagree with you on both counts.

The EPL remains the strongest league. All of the English teams for the past few years finish top of their respective groups. And measuring a league's potency is not just about titles won. We can have other metrics. Number of quarterfinalists in the past 4 CL editions:

EPL: 13

La Liga: 6

Bundesliga: 4

Seria A: 3

Number of semifinalists:

EPL: 7

La Liga: 5

Bundesliga: 2

Seria A: 1

Number of finalists:

EPL: 4

La Liga: 2

Bundesliga: 1

Seria A: 1

There can be no doubt as to which league is the strongest with this much more comprehensive measure.

[Myrmecophile]

If they overcome Napoli, that is. It's not that straightforward. If they lose at San Paolo they will be kicked out of the competition. If they draw, they'll need Bayern to rest players against them in the last game.

We've had this conversation before. The San Paolo is a tough place to go but Bayern should have won and a fired up City should be too good for Napoli.