The dominance of the English clubs in this season’s Champions League was confirmed last night by Liverpool’s 0-1 win over Inter Milan. There are now four English clubs in the last eight of the competition and bookies are only offering odds of 2/5 on an English team lifting the trophy in May. With Roma, Schalke and Fenerbahce as clear outsiders, Barça look like being the only team with any chance of stopping the English.
After losing Leo Messi through injury and suffering two defeats to Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, the naturally pessimistic cule may feel that our situation is impossible. However, as I said the other day the other clubs are having their problems too.
Manchester United are probably the team that Barça fans fear most, and when you look at the talent of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, you can understand why. United still have the aging talents of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs performing well to compete for places against the exciting youngsters such as Nani and Anderson, and in defence Rio Ferdinand and Nemenja Vidic are arguably the best centre-back pairing in Europe. However, they could have a weakness in their full backs where Wes Brown and Patrice Evra might suffer against Barça’s forwards, and keeper Van der Saar could be vulnerable too, while in midfield they have never found a true replacement for Roy Keane though Carrick and Hargreaves both do a pretty good job. United’s recent form is not great as they have only won four of their last eight games and lost at home to Portsmouth on Saturday in the FA Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals have dried up a bit and he has only scored in two of those eight games. Their big recent wins were at lowly Fulham and struggling Newcastle, neither of which can be classed as difficult teams.
Arsenal are current leaders in the Premiership and Arsene Wenger does a great job to get the most out of his young players. Cesc Fabregas is already a serious contender for this year’s Golden Ball award while Emmanuel Adebayor is probably the most improved player in the Premiership this season. Having disposed of champions AC Milan with a tremendous victory in the San Siro, Arsenal will be itching for another go at Barça to revenge the 2006 Champions League Final in Paris. However, despite the victory in Milan, Arsenal’s recent form has been shaky. In their last six games they have only the one victory against Milan while they have failed to beat the likes of Wigan and Birmingham, Adebayor’s goals have also dried up and he only has one in those six games. Defensively they rely on the fitness of William Gallas and Kolo Toure and suffer if either of them is injured, while goalkeeper Almunia can also have his off days.
Chelsea probably have the biggest and strongest squad in the Premiership and could easily make up two teams capable of competing for trophies. Any team that has Andriy Shevchenko as third choice striker has to be reckoned with. Avram Grant has maintained Chelsea’s title challenge despite predictions that Chelsea would fall apart after Jose Mourinho’s departure. Michael Ballack is finally playing like he did before moving to England and Joe Cole is also in very good form. However, some of the core of Chelsea’s team are not performing as well this season though Lampard, Terry and Cech will no doubt rise to the challenge of the Champions League that they failed to win under Mourinho. Chelsea’s form is also not great and they have only won three of their last eight games. Last Saturday they were humiliated in the FA Cup by Barnsley and have also recently lost the Carling Cup final to underdogs Tottenham. Barça might relish the chance to rediscover Juliano Belletti’s defensive weaknesses.
Liverpool are the most in form team in the Premiership and have won their last six matches. Fernando Torres is in tremendous form and would no doubt jump at the opportunity of giving Barça’s defence another runaround. Liverpool’s Champions League credentials are excellent having reached two finals in three years and they would not fear Barça after knocking them out last year. However, apart from Torres, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, I don’t think they have any other players who would get into Barça’s first team. And despite their recent good run they have lost to Barnsley and West Ham in 2008 and drawn with the likes of Wigan, Luton, Middlesborough and Aston Villa.
All in all we have to admit that they are four excellent teams and if we could chose we would rather face Schalke, Fenerbahce or Roma in the quarter finals and then at least have Messi back for when we do play an English club. However, if we do get one of them in Friday’s draw, we should have nothing to fear. Let them be the ones to worry about Eto’o, Iniesta, Ronaldinho, Henry, Toure, Xavi, Puyol, Milito, Abidal, Bojan, etc.
29 responses so far ↓
Jay // Mar 12, 2008 at 17:21
I guess Liverpool is a bigger threat than others given their European prowess. And they have Fernando Torres this time around. Plus, Benitez knows Barcelona inside-out having never lost at Camp Nou.
Arsenal scare me too.
But we should be favourites.
Waino // Mar 12, 2008 at 17:22
I’m glad that you omitted Mascherano, Alonso, Reina and Agger from your list Liverpool players who wouldn’t get into Barca’s team. Keep your hands off!
Morzzan // Mar 12, 2008 at 17:29
Yeah man, all the above said english clubs look scary with their form. And without doubt, tottenham next year will add to woes of other european teams with Juande ramos at the helm. Right now, without doubt, Manchester are the team to beat. Arsenal are unpredictable, Liverpool strong through Torres (how many goals has this lad scored against barca?) and Chelsea, wohao? Awesome team but once again unpredictable…
Alejandro Hill // Mar 12, 2008 at 17:53
Mascherano would clearly get into the Barca team, thats why they were courting him up until last month when he signed permanently for Liverpool. Reina was in the Barca team at one stage, and Alonso is on the Barca hit list for the summer…..I count 6 at least!
Blaugrana // Mar 12, 2008 at 18:03
And what does our form tell them i wonder?
Taras // Mar 12, 2008 at 19:11
I fear Man United!
Zeshan // Mar 12, 2008 at 19:14
if you just look on the paper Barca have the greatest forword attack in many years.. but the game i not played on paper but i think barca are very stong this year in champions league.. and maybe we need stop focusing so mush on la liga and go for champions league ? what do you guys think ?
Shahenshah // Mar 12, 2008 at 20:15
Ofcourse we can compete with English teams. Barcelona’s posession dominating , slow tactical build up will frustrate the English. However, all the posession will be a waste if we fool around with our front three once again.
Hilal // Mar 12, 2008 at 20:18
I think if we draw any of the four English teams on Friday then we are out. After the past few weeks I do not trust Rijkaard anymore and I think it is much more likely that he makes a bad decision leading to a loss than a good decision leading to a win. If we had Messi then I would be slightly more confident, but without Messi and now Yaya as well, I am praying for a non english side. I really hate to say this but to be honest I could quite easily see us walking away with nothing again this year. The copa aint gonna be no walk in the park either and the league is as good as done.
blaugranaboy // Mar 12, 2008 at 20:23
we will always manage the possession and compete there, but without the goals flowing, you have to worry. man u are clear favorites now, their form isnt the best, but at point this year its been amazing and they have the most depth by far and CR just keeps on scoring and being great. barca should worry about man u and liverpool most i think. even though arsenal at points have been playing the best football, the last 6 games have looked awful. it depends a lot on van persie staying fit and keeping a strong partnership with adebayor, bendtner isnt good enough, and their defense looks week. on the other hand liverpool’s defense looks very solid adn tehir midfield is strong and breaks down play nicely. plus it seems they are CL specialists and that’s where all their focus lies.
Zeshan // Mar 12, 2008 at 21:35
Come one guys we must have faith in our team if we dont have faith in them who will.. barca er superior on possesion and slow build up play i think we still hjave a strong squad to cope in every compition
Youssef Gazia // Mar 12, 2008 at 21:46
Naaaah. If we strugle against Villareal, we will defintly struggle againts any team in the champions league this season.
Sad But True..
Visca el Baca..
Hilal // Mar 12, 2008 at 21:48
I dont lack faith in the sqaud, I lack faith in the manager and I think the players do as well. On paper we have the best attacking squad in Europe, even without Messi. Did u watch the last two league games we played? We are not playing at even half our potential! That is down to the coach, if he cannot handle all the stars or if he does not know how to get the best out of the squad that we have then he should leave. The fact that he can be influenced by the press to make a decision about a game says it all.
Youssef Gazia // Mar 12, 2008 at 22:42
No, Hilal I completly disagree about Rikkrad beig influenced by the press. I dont understand you people, if he plays doesnt play Messi, you say that the rotation system sucks and how can a coach leave out Messi. But when he plays MEssi, you say that he is ‘influenced by the media.’
Hilal, How can you not lack faith in the players?! I think you forgot that Rikkard doesnt play on the pitch, its the players. Its the players who choose not to play to their full potiential. Its their players who dont know the meaning of wearing the Blaugrana shirt. Dont go and blame Rikkard, who won the double in 2005, for the players mistakes. Shame.
The boared provided a super squad and the squad failed to deliver. Simple as that. Yes, i would like Barca to win the treble every year, but you must accept that Barca cant win every year. Its ok, look at arsenal, they havent won anything from 4 or 5 years, and you never see their fans bashing Arsene Wegner like BARCA Fans do. Shame.
Visca el Barca…
John // Mar 12, 2008 at 22:54
Liverpool fans don’t you just love ‘em…. NOT! Have they not got their own sites where they can talk about there own underachieving club…? I come here to talk about Barca not to hear about how good they think they are!!! Sorry Nic. I should be tolerant, but they do my head in!!!
On to your comments… Think we all share you trepidation about the draw on Friday… and agree we would all like to avoid any of the English teams…
One thing the draw does highlight is the strength of the English Premier League … As the money on offer is slowly making the big English clubs financially stronger than many of their continental counterparts… However the price of this strength has been that many of these clubs have sold themselves to the highest bidder… Where the fans are seen as mere revenue streams…. and where the founding principles have been cast aside.
That is why Barca is special and is “more than a club”. That is why I pay my money and am a Soci… A club run on democratic principles where a member can have his or her say on who will run the club… A club that instead of using its shirt as another form of revenue chooses to use it to raise money for UNICEF…. (There are many other reasons but as Nic highlighted this not a place to talk about Politics… can I recommend great book that sets it all in context “Barca a People’s Passion” by FT journalist Jimmy Burns) Something’s are more precious than results, that is a clubs identity and history … When it comes to that very few clubs can match what Braca has and that is before you get to the players and type off football the club aspires to play….
We may not win the Champions League this season but we will it again, and when we do, it will be as we have won it before a members club based on democratic principles. Not as a PLC or the personal play thing of uber rich billionaires or bought by foreign business men who buy the clubs and then drench them in debt! “Mes que un club”
Hilal // Mar 12, 2008 at 23:26
Youssef, when he doesnt play Messi against a team like Athletico Madrid when we are chasing the league you have to ask questions. Then he makes it even worse by playing Messi when the doctors told him it was a risk. If it was a huge game then I could understand his reasoning, but to play him because he was under pressure from the press is just wrong. If he didnt play him against Athletic because he was injured then he shouldnt have played him agaisnt Celtic. We would have beaten Celtic either way so playing Messi was an unecessary risk and now he is out for at least 6 weeks. I dont see how you can defend those actions.
As for not lacking faith in the players; players need motivation, and that is supposed to be the managers job. Look at what Capello did with Real. He took a lazy, arrogant, lacklustre team and turned them into workhorses. They might not have played beautiful football but they were motivated and hungry and that was down to the coach. Mourinho does the same thing, his players are always tireless and work till the very end. If you look at Chelsea now, minus Mourinho, they lack that hunger and drive. Its the same team, only a few months on. I wouldnt underestimate the importance of the coach in motivating the player. I’m not saying its all down to Rijkaard, the players are to blame as well, but my point is that a great manager would motivate his squad. Oh and how can you say that its the players on the pitch and not the manager and then turn around and say the manager won the double. You are contradicting yourself. If its the players on the pitch, as you claim, then its the players who won the double.
Then there are all the decisions he makes: Playing Messi down the middle, putting Henry on the left when Eto’o is not playing, Puyol at right back when Zambrotta is fit, playing Deco in el clasico when he is not 100%, 3-4-3 last season. There are so many bad decisions, I am not sure what he is going to do next. He seems to get it wrong a lot more than he gets it right.
ROB // Mar 13, 2008 at 2:28
hahahaha thats funny fear MILITO???? seriously fear RAfa MARQUEZ cause even though hes injured but when hes back hes gonna be a starter again with no doubt… Even rkjaard has said it RAFA is missing did anyone see how Bad Milito was getting do by everyone against villareal and atletico???Rafa is the one with the best estadistics this year…
Morzzan // Mar 13, 2008 at 4:59
yeah Hilal is right, capello just made Real play like a real team…… it was truly amazing to see them play like that last season… especially that game against espanyol, when they came from 2-0 down to win it 4-3, it was probably reals best game in decades!!
SB // Mar 13, 2008 at 5:42
Honestly, Barcelona can and should win this tournament. The EPL might have four reps this time but in terms of overall team comparison they do not match up to Barcelona’s quality. Man Utd have depended largely on Ronaldo the past two seasons and take him out they are considerably average. Arsenal are still young and if they can keep it up will do wonders but I still feel they’re too inconsistent as the season wears on. Chelsea - with Grant at the helm, no way. Liverpool - great in Europe mainly because of Benitez and his tactics and the players keeping their discipline and despite Torres and Gerrard they pretty much have no one else who can turn a match when needed unlike Barcelona who has more than a handful with that ability.
Alas, Barcelona seems to really be suffering from their own internal problems (players? I have no idea) since last season, although since the turn of the year they looked to have gotten back on form.
Nic // Mar 13, 2008 at 9:58
ROB (aka Bobby) - There wouldn’t happen to be a certain Mexican bias going on here, would there? One day you belittle Bojan to support Giovani and now you laugh at Milito in favour of Marquez. Let me say I like both Giovani and Marquez (especially Marquez). Please don’t attack other players just to support the players you like, it does no credit to your argument.
#12 // Mar 13, 2008 at 10:02
How can you guys fear liverpool and chelsea..yea we may have lost to AMadrid and Villareal but liverpool and chelsea are no “unbreakable” teams..just ask barnsley
Jay // Mar 13, 2008 at 10:11
It’s basically Barcelona vs. England in the Champions League as despite Roma’s brilliant elimination of Real Madrid, they can’t stop the Premiership Big Four.
It’s up to us to not only win it, but also put English football in it’s place.
Nick // Mar 13, 2008 at 10:33
If Barça don’t win I don’t particularly mind which English clubs wins as long as it isn’t MU.
As a Barça and Manchester City fan, one of my favourite memories is watching live the last flash of that beautiful Dream Team destroy Manchester United 4-0 in Camp Nou in 1994. As my United friends cried real tears at my side, Romario, Stoichkov and the rest ripped into those blighters in red and sent them crashing out of the Champions League.
As they say, you can’t buy memories like that.
Found a summary here
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x43jvx_cl-9495-barcelona-vs-manchester_sport?from=rss
Goalposthead // Mar 13, 2008 at 12:42
the only team i would want to avoid would be man united. we would batter arsenal as they are only fabregas and adebayor. no problema
Shahenshah // Mar 13, 2008 at 14:19
The first half hour of the second leg tie between Arsenal and Milan, Arsenal were nothing compared to Milan. Arsenal barely saw the ball and had to sit back and defend in their own half for a long time.
Milan dominated and controlled the game. After that half an hour mark, they stopped attacking like madmen. Call it fatigue or defensive strategy, they started to hold back and let Arsenal take control.
We can take Arsenal for sure
dayib-SM // Mar 13, 2008 at 20:40
i think english teams they are very strong but at the side of us they are nothing, because we have more expereince than, and also we have more
quality players . there is no doubt they have one or two players whom are
incridible such as like cesc, cristiano , farnando toures and michel ballack.
but the reallity is no team in english sides has seven or eigth quality players.
if you watch the barce game you could see their quality although there are some injury players such as messi,marques.
I believes if barca players make more effort they can win the champion league because all teams qualified quater final are less quality.
all in all we can win this year.
let’s hope the winning.
ROB // Mar 13, 2008 at 23:51
nic
im just trying to say whats right or is milito better than rafa???? who did the barca website do an article for rafa or milito??? whos estadistics are better??
Goalposthead // Mar 14, 2008 at 8:04
Arsenal are really slipping I wouldnt be surprised if they finish below chelsea in the league
layi // Mar 15, 2008 at 23:53
mascherano will walk into our team with his eyes closed
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