Chelsea-Barcelona: Preview

Nothing has changed since the first leg. Barca are still the overwhelming favourites they were before the first leg. Last Tuesday, Chelsea’s defensive masterclass prevailed over Barcelona’s much-feared all-conquering attacking threat.

Many neutrals started believing that Chelsea can overcome Barca in the second leg, either by attacking play or by further defensive play and in penalties. Anyways, even though it was only a bit, the slider definitely moved towards Chelsea. But then, we saw Barca rip Madrid apart at the Bernabeu. Barca are back to being hot favourites again.

Chelsea were the first team return from Camp Nou with a clean sheet this season. Even if it’s a blue day tomorrow, Chelsea will not be the first team to beat Barcelona this season. Wisla Krakow, Numancia, and Espanyol have already beaten them this season. Therefore, record-wise, beating them is an easier task than returning from Camp Nou with a clean sheet. While we have managed a clean sheet at Camp Nou, beating them should be a more possible task.

Chelsea’s objective is quite clear. They have to beat Barcelona. I don’t think Chelsea and Barcelona will play out a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes at Stamford Bridge. As long as there is a goal in this match, there won’t be extra time and penalties. I’m confident that this match would be over in 90 minutes. I’m also very sure that the match won’t be over by half time too. No matter what the score is at half time, the match won’t be over until the final whistle.

I’d like you to study three matches that Barca have played in the last ten days. 2-2 against Valencia at Mestalla. 0-0 against Chelsea at Camp Nou. 6-2 against Real Madrid at Bernabeu. These three matches are a complete lesson for you on how to play against Barcelona and also how not to play. Valencia showed how to exploit Barca’s defence. Chelsea showed how to stop Barca from scoring. Madrid showed how to let Barca on the loose.

I’m very very convinced of the way Chelsea played at Camp Nou to get the 0-0 draw. I loved the way Hiddink said that we will play attacking football and the performance had 0-0 written all over it. I’m sure that must have come as a shock for the Catalans.

Even at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night, I don’t expect Chelsea to play expansive football. We would look to score without really weakening the defence. We would play in the air a lot. We should have two or three players upfront instead of the lone Drogba like last week. With two or three players, we would play high balls which are harmless to our defensive orgnisation. We must take full advantage of the set pieces that come our way. We must score from a corner, it’s been such a long time.

Hiddink cannot continue his 4-2-3-1 that helped him with a clean sheet last week. He needs to be a little more adventurous with his formation. I think we would play a 4-2-2-2. That way, you can retain the defensive midfielders and also have a two-man attack.

This would allow Barca some space in the wings but we’ve got Ashley Cole back and Bosingwa or Ivanovic are more than capable of doing a good job in the right back. This being Stamford Bridge, we should play much more physical than we did at Camp Nou. I don’t care if Barca dudes cry over Chelsea style of football. At end of the day, you have one objective—to reach the final.

Chelsea will have to play the counterattack in such a way that Barca cannot commit players for attack. In the last leg, their defence did not have the fear of Chelsea attack. This time around, we should make a strong start that Barca must be wary of their gung-ho attacks. The stamford bridge pitch will be smaller. Ashley Cole is back. Barca will be missing their first choice centre backs. There are more reasons why Chelsea must attack.

This match tomorrow is a massive test for Hiddink. I have seen his less fancied teams take on bigger teams to beat them and progress. He knows how to beat teams. I’m sure he’ll have a plan. Barca have beaten Chelsea in London once before but I don’t see Chelsea being eliminated at Stamford Bridge. Here comes the most daredevil prediction ever: Chelsea 2-0 Barcelona. Lampard. Drogba. Period.