Chelsea can beat Barcelona

The Chelsea board does not allow racists to have a voice.

 

I agree with all of this!

I think our boys will be seeking revenge.

 

I don't think we will win but nobody is going to tell me a Champions League Semi Final won't be close, I just don't buy it, especially given the history between the two clubs.

We won't be "thrashed" or "humiliated" as some would like to believe, not on this stage.

Cardiff weren't thrashed by Liverpool and Birmingham weren't thrashed by Arsenal where the gulf in quality between the sides was far larger.

I also don't agree with people saying Barca were far better now than they were in 2009. Messi is better but not Barca

Iniesta was far better then and Xavi was younger and more athletic. Puyol was much better then as was Abidal and Pique (all of whom have suffered from long term injury problems since)

Defeat? Yes

Humiliation? No

 

If Drogba, Terry, Cole and Lampard all start we have a chance. Memories of that night in 09 will spur them on an extra 10% at least.

Whatever any one says, Barca are better but will be nowhere near as hungry to win.

 

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Romeu should start as well IMO, he knows Barca inside out.

 

I'm always curious to know , whatever happened to Orebro. Was he dropped from CL football! I remember he had to go into hiding originally! Is he still in hiding?

 

Problem here is that Drogba, Malouda, Lamps, and even JT to some extent are also not the players that they were 3 years ago. I think if we go into the game focussed on revenge for that semi and expecting that to fire up the oldies, we will come unstuck.

I worry that Barca's midfield will just pass Lamps by. Let's be honest here, he doesn't exert the same influence that he used to in midfield and his performances this season have been average by and large. Yes, he'll always get you a goal, but his overall contribution to the team has been on the wane for a long time. I also wouldn't want Malouda anywhere near the starting eleven thanks very much.

Drogs up front is certainly worth a shout. The big man doesn't turn it on as much these days, but he's one of those that can still bring his A game to the party if he fancies it, and I think he will fancy this. Mata and Sturridge make up the front 3 for me - pace and guile, exactly what we need against Barca's not so great defence.

Hopefully JT will be fit to partner Luiz as - although I'm warming to the guy - the thought of Cahill trying to combat the Barca onslaught scares the crap out of me.

 

I thought he retired blaming death threats but apparently not. Shouldn't have needed to retire anyway, should have been strung up along with Platini the slimy cheating ****s!

 

great to read so many positive posts on this board !! i wish i could be positive but i struggle. even if chelsea beat barca on the pitch i feel that we will be undone by a dodgy decision, especially at the nou camp. i just hope that when we go out its to a fair and square game of footie and not to another load of diving conning cheating and dodgy reffing.

 

This

 

Well said Booby

 

The chelsea board also does not accept alligations towards it's players that have not yet been proven

 

bye bye booby, booby goodbye!

 

stop editing my posts

 

Do we know who the ref is yet ??? Wouldn't put it past Platini to bring back the Danish donut for the 2nd game if Barca need it !!! Only joking. He wouldn't get out of the Bridge alive.

 

So long as it isn't Frisk, Ovrebo, Elleray, Foy or Poll I don't care to be honest

 

Too right!

 

You do realise that this implies that UEFA are fixing the competition. If you really believe that, what will be your response if Chelsea win it.....

 

I think most rational English fans realise that it is as rare as rocking horse **** for a CL ref to show any evenness towards their teams. Always has been , always will be. Then of course there's Mr. Ovrebro, undoubtably the most biased referring performance in the history of the competition. Don't believe me ??? Even Chelsea hating BBC and The Age said so.
It's not a conspiracy theory, that's just how it always is for English teams.
Since the Bald Italian ref retired, the ONLY one who was ever fair to every team he refed, it's been shameful.
If Chelsea win the CL ??????? Then I'd say we must have provided an even bigger bung than the usual suspects.