CL game 5: Chelsea - Barca

[Messi983]

4-2 Chelski

 

[te amo barca]

4-2 Chelski

fake culer

 

[jormatar]

“We’re not used to playing against players who keep the ball like that. We’ve faced Chelsea and City before, but they were never like that,” admitted Gordon.

It will be interesting to see how we are able to control the ball to frustrate them. Obviously Pedri was the main catalyst in that against Newcastle so controlling the ball and keeping possession will be much harder.

Also I'm sure they are going to pressure us hard when he have the ball and against Newcastle we were struggling against that at first. We were lucky not to conceide a goal back then in the first 15-20 minutes or so.

Recently we have been playing the best football of our season, so I'm contident. Just need to have stellar performances from our forwards and Garcia in goal needs to be on top of his game.

 

[Temptation]

My thoughts on this game. Read carefully:

• An open, end to end basketball esque game will suit Barca because their attackers have way better end product and they have the better goalie. Chelsea attackers aren't great finishers. Chelsea's best finisher is injured.
• Maresca isn't an elite coach yet but has the tendency to come up with tactical masterclasses in big games. He shines against the biggest teams.
• Chelsea are a very young, fast, fit and dynamic team. Chances are they'll physically outdo Barca with energy, intensity and stamina. The likes of Caicedo can get the better of Barca midfielders on their day. Best DM in the world.
• They are predominantly a possession based team that prefers a slower buildup but they are very adaptable and versatile and play a more direct style prioritizing transitions, long balls and turnovers if needed. Maresca worships Pep.
• They have some really dynamic young forwards on the bench that could be a problem for the tired legs and the extreme high line of Barca.
• It'll be an entertaining game for the neutrals because both the teams have shit defensive personnel. Chances of a high scoring game.
• Estevao is probably the biggest Wonderkid talent after Yamal right now.
• Chelsea players to watch out for: Caicedo, Reece, Pedro, Neto.

You're welcome.

 

[ZenI]

Chelsea have a good team, if we played them a couple of weeks ago I would bet my money on them. But we're slowly getting in form again and if we play well defensively and don't do simple mistakes in the first 20-30 minutes, we'll slowly take over the game and outplay them... Chelsea will get a draw at best.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

My thoughts on this game. Read carefully:

• An open, end to end basketball esque game will suit Barca because their attackers have way better end product and they have the better goalie. Chelsea attackers aren't great finishers. Chelsea's best finisher is injured.
• Maresca isn't an elite coach yet but has the tendency to come up with tactical masterclasses in big games. He shines against the biggest teams.
• Chelsea are a very young, fast, fit and dynamic team. Chances are they'll physically outdo Barca with energy, intensity and stamina. The likes of Caicedo can get the better of Barca midfielders on their day. Best DM in the world.
• They are predominantly a possession based team that prefers a slower buildup but they are very adaptable and versatile and play a more direct style prioritizing transitions, long balls and turnovers if needed. Maresca worships Pep.
• They have some really dynamic young forwards on the bench that could be a problem for the tired legs and the extreme high line of Barca.
• It'll be an entertaining game for the neutrals because both the teams have shit defensive personnel. Chances of a high scoring game.
• Estevao is probably the biggest Wonderkid talent after Yamal right now.
• Chelsea players to watch out for: Caicedo, Reece, Pedro, Neto.

You're welcome.

Very good analysis. I think odds are correct and Chelsea should be the favourite here. I am afraid if we lack intensity it will look like the CWC final vs PSG. They will just run us over in the first half and kill the game. Let's hope not.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

Chelsea have a good team, if we played them a couple of weeks ago I would bet my money on them. But we're slowly getting in form again and if we play well defensively and don't do simple mistakes in the first 20-30 minutes, we'll slowly take over the game and outplay them... Chelsea will get a draw at best.

True too. Couple weeks ago this would have been massacre most likely. We are more fresh now and on better form.

The biggest question mark today is how we do physically. Can we handle the intensity? Chelsea is quick, strong and fast team and they have a good bench. Those things will cause us a lot of trouble I think.

 

[Birdy]

They have loads of pace up front that could expose the high line. That's my biggest worry for tomorrow.

Flick made some serious adjustments to the line in the Bilbao game.
He was seemingly working on that during the Int. Break

Now the last line does not jump to render attackers offside before every final ball, but judges when to do so and when not. This was evident in the Bilbao game, where several times the last attacker was simply tracked

 

[Birdy]

Need a strong night from our attackers. Many protagonists able to decide a game.
Yamal, Lewy, Rashford, Raphinha and even Ferran Torres.

Think Rashy, Lewy, Yamal will start. Raphinha might come on as early as during HT. Ferran later when legs are tired.

Edit: I've checked predicted XI's and all agree on this:

Joan
Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde
Frenkie, Eric
Yamal, Fermin, Rashford
Lewandowski

XI is good and logical, apart from Lewa

Crime to start in such a high intensity game someone who can't press.
Ferran should start, and Lewa play the super-sub role for the last 15-20 minutes

 

[JamDav1982]

The defensive line was changed in 2nd half of Celta game when they kept timing runs from their own half.

Kept it for Bilbao game.

 

[Birdy]

The defensive line was changed in 2nd half of Celta game when they kept timing runs from their own half.

Kept it for Bilbao game.

Maybe, but in the Bilbao game it was far more obvious that runners were tracked some times

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

My thoughts on this game. Read carefully:

• An open, end to end basketball esque game will suit Barca because their attackers have way better end product and they have the better goalie. Chelsea attackers aren't great finishers. Chelsea's best finisher is injured.
• Maresca isn't an elite coach yet but has the tendency to come up with tactical masterclasses in big games. He shines against the biggest teams.
• Chelsea are a very young, fast, fit and dynamic team. Chances are they'll physically outdo Barca with energy, intensity and stamina. The likes of Caicedo can get the better of Barca midfielders on their day. Best DM in the world.
• They are predominantly a possession based team that prefers a slower buildup but they are very adaptable and versatile and play a more direct style prioritizing transitions, long balls and turnovers if needed. Maresca worships Pep.
• They have some really dynamic young forwards on the bench that could be a problem for the tired legs and the extreme high line of Barca.
• It'll be an entertaining game for the neutrals because both the teams have shit defensive personnel. Chances of a high scoring game.
• Estevao is probably the biggest Wonderkid talent after Yamal right now.
• Chelsea players to watch out for: Caicedo, Reece, Pedro, Neto.

You're welcome.

@Andresito Prime Tempt is pure class 🔥

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Chelsea have a good team, if we played them a couple of weeks ago I would bet my money on them. But we're slowly getting in form again and if we play well defensively and don't do simple mistakes in the first 20-30 minutes, we'll slowly take over the game and outplay them... Chelsea will get a draw at best.

Yo same, think we are in a good form now

surprised though about the odds, thought it would be more equal

X2 should be a safe bet

For the guys with cojones like me: X2 + bts

For the guys with hyper-cojones: 2+bts

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

I dont want to see line-ups without Lewy guys, he is in a terrific form now. Rashy was ill so would use Lewy and Ferran again together, worked very well vs Bilbao.

Need De Jong, Eric, Fermin in midfield.

2-3 win, siu !

 

[jaype]

Stevao will have a field day with our kindergarten halfway line offside trap.