CL game 5: Chelsea - Barca

[Alik]

My lineup would be nearly the same as against Bilbao, just with Frenkie in for Olmo. I'd try to keep the clean sheet defense from the Bilbao game. They just recently played together and automatisms work. I trust Martin to keep the offside trap better than Araujo.
Also I'd start Ferran LF just for the pressing, because Rashford & Lewy together would give Chelsea too much space on that side to start their attacks.

Agreed!

 

[ZenI]

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.

We also have a decent bench and we've showed time and time again that technique most of the time beats physicality.... last 25 years people doubted us when we were up against an EPL side only for us to totally destroy them. Two things are different today, Chelsea are more technical and we could have 2-3 positions much better covered (Balde, CB and Lewa is older). If we today had a 30 year old Lewa, 25 year old Alba and Inigo from last season this would be "easier". We have a great team, but next summer we REALLY need a WC LB and stop fuck around with Balde who isn't even good enough to be a backup - and since Lewa is leaving we will splurge in a new #9.
Anyway, Chelsea can indeed hurt us if we make silly mistakes - but if we keep it together defensively and a couple of our midfielders and forwards have a good evening it's going to be difficult for them.

 

[Iniesta Ultra]

since Palmer and Pedro out we better win

 

[Skalman]

Caicedo masterclass incoming...

 

[Iniesta Ultra]

Caicedo masterclass incoming...

will he embarrass Ohlno and rags

 

[ZenI]

Caicedo masterclass incoming...

Yeah, he's good. Eric is better

 

[ZenI]

But it's fucking unfair with Chelsea and EPL teams at the moment - I mean Caicedo was like 120M, they vacuum the market and splurge 100ish million on anybody - Man U gave over 100M for fucking Antony. If UEFA want a somewhat exciting CL in the future we need a European FFP'ish - or they can fuck of and soon just call the EPL CL.

 

[Iniesta Ultra]

endless crybabying deflecting from our shit poor recruitiment

 

[ZenI]

endless crybabying deflecting from our shit poor recruitiment

Nobody is deflecting from us buying Coutinho, Greasman, Dumbele, Ukrainian Jesus, Song et al. But that was some time ago - EPL clubs also made some fucking terrible transfers, but they are still able to splurge. So stfu

 

[Asylum15]

We here.
I want a statement from us to tonight to kickstart this CL campaign.

 

[Tyler]

What's the deal with Palmer? He supposedly fractured his big toe a few days ago. As someone who has experienced this myself I couldn't play football for over a month. But he was in training yesterday smiling, joking and also kicking the ball with both feet I noticed.

 

[Iniesta Ultra]

Nobody is deflecting from us buying Coutinho, Greasman, Dumbele, Ukrainian Jesus, Song et al. But that was some time ago - EPL clubs also made some fucking terrible transfers, but they are still able to splurge. So stfu

you stfu

Ohlno, creampie, rags, donkey

while letting Puig, Fati, Cucu, Fort go

 

[MonteCuler]

What's the deal with Palmer? He supposedly fractured his big toe a few days ago. As someone who has experienced this myself I couldn't play football for over a month. But he was in training yesterday smiling, joking and also kicking the ball with both feet I noticed.

Well they have their ways of treating it

I think he will play. Maybe it was mind games by Chels, fuck knows if he even broke anything

 

[ToranagaSama]

Have we ever won in their stadium? Absolute boogey team. Probably 2-2.

 

[MonteCuler]

We shouldn't underestimate Chelsea

They absolutely destroyed PSG in that CWC final. People will say it's just CWC but I don't believe PSG didn't care for that game

If they show up at that level we will have a hard time. But then they could show up at their usual level, which is really not that high