Thierry Henry has recovered from his fever and has been named in the squad for tomorrow evening’s Champions League semi-final first leg with Manchester United at Camp Nou (kick off 8.45pm). Lilian Thuram comes in for the suspended Carles Puyol but will most likely start on the bench. This is make or break time now for Barça and the consequencies of a defeat will almost certainly lead to some big changes at the club. With La Liga out of reach the Champions League is Barça’s only chance not to have a second consecutive trophyless season.
On current form United deserve to be considered the best team in Europe and Cristiano Ronaldo, at the moment, can be classed as the best in the world. Sir Alex Ferguson has managed to build yet another team that has left rivals Arsenal and Chelsea in their wake, with Rooney and Tevez being the other main stars. In defence they have a solid pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemenja Vidic, and in midfield they have many various options from the old boys Giggs and Scholes to youngsters Nani and Anderson to the workers like Hargreaves and Park. They lead the Premiership with just three games to go and look on course for their 17th league title, the tenth of Ferguson’s managership.
Both sides have said they will attack and there has been talk of an open game. The last time to two clubs met at Camp Nou the crowd were treated to a thrilling 3-3 draw with a spectacular hat-trick from Rivaldo included. Unless there is an early goal, however, I have a strong feeling that tomorrow’s game will in fact be tense and cagey. Barça will try to dictate with their possession football while United will be looking for quick breaks as soon as they gain the ball. Barça’s defence will struggle against the pace of Ronaldo and Rooney so it will be important not to give the ball away in midfield. United will rarely play against a team so good at maintaing possession and it will be interesting to see if their midfield play a pressing game or choose instead to sit back and protect the defence. They will be worried about how to stop Leo Messi so Ferguson may sacrifice a midfield player to get back and support left back Patrice Evra.
Barça’s forwards are due a bit of luck in front of goal after two consecutive 0-0 draws at Camp Nou. Thierry Henry may only start on the substitutes bench after suffering the fever that forced him to miss training on Monday, and if Henry doesn’t start, Rijkaard will have to choose between playing seventeen-year-old Bojan Krkic in such a big match or moving Iniesta forward which could mean a start in midfield for Eidur Gudjohnsen. The other big question will be who plays at left back. Eric Abidal has been poor in recent games and Rijkaard may well decide to give the place to veteran Sylvinho.
Both teams have a few players recovering from injuries but I expect that Marquez, Milito, Toure, Iniesta and Messi will all start for Barça, as will Van Der Sar, Vidic and Rooney for United. Barça have Messi, Toure, Marquez and Milito just one yellow card away from suspension while United’s Nani and Evra are in the same situation.
Barça’s squad: Valdés, Pinto, Zambrotta, Thuram, Marquez, Milito, Abidal, Sylvinho, Xavi, Toure, Deco, Gudjohnsen, Iniesta, Messi, Giovani, Eto’o, Bojan, Henry
Possible starting XIs:
Barça: Valdés; Zambrotta, Marquez, Milito, Sylvinho; Xavi, Toure, Iniesta; Messi, Eto’o, Bojan.
Man United: Van Der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Hargreaves, Carrick, Anderson, Park; Ronaldo; Rooney.
My Prediction: Barça 1 Man United 0
39 responses so far ↓
layi // Apr 22, 2008 at 21:43
barca 2 - manu 1
dnzi // Apr 22, 2008 at 21:55
1-1
Davor // Apr 22, 2008 at 22:19
Barca are luckless in front of goal
i expect not too many clear-cut chances
hopefully 2-0 but id say it’ll probably end 1-1
Youssef Gazia // Apr 22, 2008 at 22:23
Barca 4-0 Manchester.
Yes, 4-0.
Blaugrana // Apr 22, 2008 at 22:24
Barça 1-2 man utd, this will force laporta to wake up from 05/06 season
Dr.Osmo // Apr 22, 2008 at 22:58
Barca 3-1 Man. Utd.
Goals: 15′ Messi, 36′ Eto’o, Iniesta54′ and Tevez 74′
:D
Tots UnitsFem Força!
Titi186 // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:04
I think for Rijkard it is win or bust.
Go through and he earns to stay at least untill the end of the season. Lose heavily and he should go after the game and let us buld for next year.
As for the team, I think that Bojan should not start. He is too young and on his showing against Espanyol he seems to be out if sync with Etoo and Messi a a little. Funnily enough he works best with Theirry Henry but if most of you on here had it your way you would injure him yourselves
I think Iniesta up front with Deco-Xavi-Yaya in feild (front-to-back) and Messi-Eto-Iniesta (right-to-left) with the full backs not pushing too far up otherwise Ronaldo, as much as he bottles it in games, will destroy us.
My prediction is 3-1 to Barca with Yaya (header), Eto (one-on-one) and Henry (mishit shot
)
John // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:12
I look at this fixture and can only see one team winning… and sadly it aint the Blaugrana!
Man Utd over two legs will have to much for a very out of sorts Barca… Having had to endure some truly dreadful performances since Christmas, the only reason we have progressed to this stage of the competition is the luck of the draw.. we have not played a good side yet..
We have a defence that cannot defend.. A great holiding midfied player (Toure) playing with injections to kill the pain in his back.. Granted two great midfield players Xavi, the other Iniesta coming back from injury.. a forward line that could not hit a barn door against Espanyol at the weekend…
Add to that a manager who is sloppy and well beyond his sell by date, who has overseen one of the greatest declines in modern European football.. Who is welded to 4-3-3 that has made us so very predictable and easy to play against…
A president who has failed to act to bring about change in a truly dreadful season..
And I have not even got on to Ronaldinho to lazy or hungover to train half the time.. Deco much the same and Henry who sits a sulks!!!!
But I will be at Old Trafford for the away leg, hoping for a miracle… Oh the beauty of football… Go Barca..
Angus // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:56
Being realistic I’d have to say the best Barcelona can hope for is a draw. We know how Barca will play and it will be all too predictable as normal. My feeling is Utd will play the 4-3-3 which can change to a 4-5-1 when defending. They will be tight at the back and Barca will have to use the pace of Messi and Eto’o and the craft of Xavi and Iniesta to cause Ferdinand and Vidic problems.
The midfield battle will be key. Utd have been used to so much easy possession of the ball in the Premiership so Barca will have to play a pressing game to give them as little time on the ball as possible. If you are attacking you are defending at the same time so possession of the ball will be key.
This may be so tight that we may be forced to watch a 0-0. Barcelona can’t seem to score just now and have conceeded goals softly of late. 0-0 against this strong Utd side would not be a bad result with possibly a more open game to come at Old Trafford and the chance to advance on the away goals rule.
I just hope a Barcelona team turns up and not a bunch of individuals like we have seen recently.
NateW // Apr 23, 2008 at 0:52
despite the recent form and problems, i think we still have a good chance .. i think there was alot of positive to draw from the weekend .. we were unlucky to draw .. i saw alot of leadership from various players on the field .. xavi .. eto .. puyol .. messi’s ability is always inspiring.
i think man utd fear us as well and they have more pressure .. i know they are a great team and i am not trying to under rate them at all .. but with this competiton, league form doesn’t always matter.
iniesta is very good at front left .. but i don’t think gudjohnsen is strong enough in midfield as his replacement there and deco hasn’t played in a while .. he would be out of sync …
so i dont know who should be on the wings .. when messi was injured they were saying they wouldn’t rush him back again etc.. but he is saying how much he wants to play so they might just let him start. he definately brings another dimension to the team.
i have barca to win at home ..
Diatus // Apr 23, 2008 at 2:31
Barca 3-Man U. 1
Diatus // Apr 23, 2008 at 2:34
Leo Messi’s opportunity to prove that he is the best player in the world right now. Point Final!!!
Shahenshah // Apr 23, 2008 at 2:46
Barca! Barca! Barca! Barca! Barca!
I am getting so stoned for this one cause it will be the game of the season. Liverpool - Chelsea……..pfft. This is make it or break it time for the blaugrana. They have to turn things around and I have faith they will succeed.
yee Barca!
blaugranafan // Apr 23, 2008 at 3:46
Thank God Rijkaard is not taking Oleguer! I don’t like to bet against my team, and I hope I’m proven wrong, but I don’t see our defense capable of preventing a loss. Yes we’re playing at home on a big pitch, but we’ve been bleeding goals to lesser Liga teams as far back as winter break almost. Man Utd boasts world class forwards, just like us.
Barca 1-2 Man Utd.
Tom F // Apr 23, 2008 at 4:32
I know we are talking about Barcelona and Camp Nou, which has a massive surface to play on but when we’ve played the likes of Arsenal this season who are one of the best passing teams in Europe as well as the way they love to keep possession our midfield has suprised them a little.
I think Anderson and Hargreaves in midfield will be first to most balls leaving Barca’s best hopes of a goal coming from the wings or even a set-piece. Then there are the likes of Tevez and Rooney, who while I’ll hope they don’t track too far back are both tireless and hungry for the ball when it is out of their possession. Evra will be all over the pitch trying to make a nuisance of the oppostion and I hope he doesn’t get caught out of position like he sometimes does, the same can be said for Wes Brown.
Our Defence is the best in the Premier League and equal to Barca’s in the Champions League. I think this is where we have the advantage in an otherwise very tight match. We have played many top teams this season and Arsenal caused us a few problems a week or so ago, but we have a ‘never believe you’ve lost’ spirit that I am hopful will see us get a vital away goal.
I hope for an entertaining game and my predition for the first leg will hopefully be enough for the game at Old Trafford next week, where we have just set a record of 11 home wins in a row in European Cup football.
Prediction: 2-2
dayib-sm // Apr 23, 2008 at 7:15
haaaaheeeeeeey: to night is our night and will be enjoying clearly.
let’s know we will win to night,but one question
how many goals we will win? and who players will score?
i am sure messi to nigth will score, and also Eto’o will score.
but the big question is the goals become only two goals or
there are other goals come from other players.
if you read my comment i think you wont need prediction
but i am writting may prediction.
FCBarcelona 3, Man united 2.
Varughese // Apr 23, 2008 at 7:47
Barcelona’s best bet is ManU’s record against spanish opponents - it is really miserable.
http://www.allaboutfcbarcelona.com/2008/04/must-win-game-barcelona-vs-manu-preview.html
We all know how in these matches history has a tendency to repeat itself.
FCB // Apr 23, 2008 at 7:52
3-1 barca
Barca Boy // Apr 23, 2008 at 7:56
WE can do it if we can get an early goal. Man U wont sit back like teams have done in the past at the camp. If toure is on form he could stop ronaldo with milito to back him up.
messi and iniesta will score and a thuram own goal
BARCA 2-1 MANCHESTER UTD
Nick // Apr 23, 2008 at 8:58
1-0
Jay // Apr 23, 2008 at 12:02
Barca 2-0 Man United
Oliver // Apr 23, 2008 at 13:07
Nice one Nic.
This is the biggest test Barca will have faced this season. Man U are a superb team. My guess is that it will be a tight game with Barca coming out on top 2-1.
Taras // Apr 23, 2008 at 13:44
Barca 0-2 Man United. I hope I am wrong.
mcv // Apr 23, 2008 at 13:57
1-0 Barca. Henry 76th minute.
Mirnes // Apr 23, 2008 at 14:40
2:0 without conceded goal…..
goalcentre.com // Apr 23, 2008 at 14:44
Red Devils to win! Glory Glory Man Utd!
Speeka // Apr 23, 2008 at 14:57
0-2 if we are lucky.
FCB - Canada // Apr 23, 2008 at 16:17
Whatever the outcome it should be one hell of a game! If Man U do a good job at containing Messi I think it will be a loss and they know they need to.
“Leo: I’ll mess up United”
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BB4CEE8FA%2D9A47%2D47BC%2DB069%2D3F7A2F35DB70%7D&newsid=549329
The good news is that Man U are battling with Chelsea for top spot in the Premier League so it’s more pressure on them and perhaps they can’t rest players like they would like to for these matches. They face each other this weekend.
Predict 1-1.
robert // Apr 23, 2008 at 18:05
gio will come in on the second half he has been doing good…..
robert // Apr 23, 2008 at 18:06
gio will come in on the second half he has been doing good…..and messi will score 2 goals
Nic // Apr 23, 2008 at 18:42
Team announced:
Valdés, Zambrotta, Marquez, Milito, Abidal, Xavi, Toure, Deco, Messi, Eto’o, Iniesta.
Nic // Apr 23, 2008 at 18:59
Man Utd:
Van der Saar, Hargreaves, Ferdinand, Brown, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Park, Tevez, Rooney.
Dr.Osmo // Apr 23, 2008 at 19:00
Barcelona
Valdes
Zambrotta Marquez Milito Abidal
Xavi Toure Deco
Messi Eto’o Iniesta
Manchester United
Van der Sar
Hargreaves Brown Ferdinand Evra
Park Scholes Anderson Ronaldo
Tevez Rooney
Joe Henry // Apr 23, 2008 at 21:37
A Fantastic game. Really IS !!!! Finally a good game. But Franks stupidity was way more powerfully. In what part of his dam little mind to take out Messi in game like this. Henry should be playing from the first of the game instead of Deco. Other than that FANTASTIC game I’m proud to say i cheer for BARCA. But what can I say Frank was a very hard opponent .
Caleb // Apr 24, 2008 at 6:23
Joe Henry, dude, I know that you want Messi in for the whole time, but the physios said only 60 minutes from the Argentine. I love seeing him out there, but I want him to be out there next week as well.
Further, I would have to say Deco had a great game. Great turns in midfield. Won us lots of free kicks.
I, too, am proud to be a Barça fan.
Joe Henry // Apr 24, 2008 at 6:37
I did not know that Caleb ( about Messi ). But it’s Henry’s game you know. The Man, The good all days back in Arsenal. I think he would have scored.
Ahmed Bilal // Apr 24, 2008 at 7:51
I think Barca will be the more confident side going into the second leg
Jay // Apr 24, 2008 at 7:53
Proud to be Barca…..seriously, we played a team of ladies….the United players should have sent their wives and girlfriends to do the draw….
Caleb // Apr 24, 2008 at 18:14
Joe Henry, Henry definitely came out with more determination and gumption than I have seen from him in awhile. He should be given the start next week. He does know the opposition.
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