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We already have Montoya as a long-term replacement for Alves. He's more defensive, but we already have an offensive fullback in Alba.

Pique was fairly solid on Tuesday the few times he was tested IMO. So were the rest of the defense (besides that brainfart by Masch), though they were a little last-ditch at times. Certainly a lot better than they've been for most of the season (especially last month). I don't remember Milan...

Isn't Messi a captain as well? Though I believe Iniesta's above him.

PSG are tough but I still think it was a pretty good draw. I'd rather have gotten them than Dortmund, Real, Bayern or Juventus. Anyways, if we're at our best we should be able to get past them.

Indeed. Press like we did against Milan and have either Alba or Alves hang back (or have them take turns going up), and we shouldn't be too vulnerable defensively. Or at least a lot less vulnerable than the defense has looked a lot of times this season, especially last month.

Well, we played Pique and Mascherano in the first leg of the super cup and we almost won that game 4-1. Anyways, Puyol's predicted recovery time is 4 to 8 weeks, so there's a good chance he'll be back for the semis. I wouldn't want to face Madrid even with him though, simply coz they're good...

Barca usually wins their CL ties at Camp Nou, they don't win in the away leg that often. Hope we get a good result in the away leg though. IMO, we should be able to at least get a high-scoring draw or narrow win in the first leg. If we do, I wouldn't be too worried about the second since, like I...

Thiago should be ready by the time he needs to be. Xavi still has a good season or two in him. And I agree with that last statement. Xavi-Iniesta in midfield with Villa up front is what works best.

He usually recovers quickly, so hopefully his recovery time will be on the lower side of the projected 4-8 weeks.

Seems like they're estimating that it could take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks for Puyol to recover. Hope it's closer to 4 (knowing :puyol: there's a good chance it will be). Hope he returns earlier like he did last time, but I wouldn't count on it.

I'd lol if Juve got knocked out by a pair of draws.

2009: 1 shot on target, 1 goal. Unfortunately though, he was great against us last year...

Montoya shouldn't be loaned IMO, he's been great in most of the games he's played (including the clasico in October). He should be played more often next season (and the remainder of this one). As for Song, I don't think he should be sold, we need the depth in that position. Didn't Masch suck...

I think it could be good for Neymar if whoever buys him loans him a lesser European league like the Dutch, Portuguese or maybe even French league first, so he doesn't have to take such a big step up (Brazil -> Spain/England). I don't see it happening though.

I'd say Milan 11-12 were tough too.

Most reports said he'll be back in 3-6 weeks.

They'll be tough no doubt, but we should be able to beat them, especially if we play like we did on Tuesday. And I'd say PSG are easier than Dortmund, Real, Juve or Bayern would have been. I do hope the players won't underestimate them in any way though. I doubt they will, especially after Milan.

Bayern would be a better opponent for Barca than Juve IMO, since Juve are a more counter-attacking team (not to mention Bayern's tendency to choke). Which is why I'm hoping Bayern wins it :p

Bayern, Dortmund, Barca and RM in the semis is also very likely (though Juventus have a good chance against Bayern). La Liga vs Bundesliga.

Not to mention Villa's presence itself affects the game, as it takes defenders off Messi, and provides another goal threat. The most important changes that were made to the lineup on Tuesday were putting Iniesta back in midfield and Villa up front.