Arsenal v Barcelona: the Showdown thread

[NSIS]

I'm not sure there is 'way to play them'. For me, I don't think sitting back and trying to stifle them will work - they're too good - one tiny mistake and you're dead!...

You can try to out score them, but you'd better be ****ing good!...

 

[The RDBD]

"Leicester's style will stand more chance of beating them"

Agreed. Think back to Chelsky CL 2012.
They did Barca and Munich that way, and that was not even their natural game.

Leicester can play that game far better without even thinking about it.

 

[Mantis]

I'm not sure there is 'way to play them'. For me, I don't think sitting back and trying to stifle them will work - they're too good - one tiny mistake and you're dead!...

You can try to out score them, but you'd better be ****ing good!...

Well you have to accept that you may get beat, they are better than probably any other side in the world right now. Whatever plan you adapt may or may not work.

When we beat them in the 1st leg a few seasons back, we worked hard and pressed high up the pitch whenever they had the ball. We had a fair share of luck too, which you need sometimes. It may or may not always work.

 

[The RDBD]

The Goons (like so many others) were in a "damned if you do ..." scenario.

1. Take them on, get wiped out.
2. Try and sit back, you push your luck.
3. Score when they are not miles ahead, stir up the hornets nest.

 

[Stan]

"Leicester's style will stand more chance of beating them"

Agreed. Think back to Chelsky CL 2012.
They did Barca and Munich that way, and that was not even their natural game.

Leicester can play that game far better without even thinking about it.

What do you mean that wasn't Chelsea's natural game?! Apart from under Ancelotti, they've been the bus parking kings for a decade!

 

[Super G Ted'inho]

I'm not sure there is 'way to play them'. For me, I don't think sitting back and trying to stifle them will work - they're too good - one tiny mistake and you're dead!...

You can try to out score them, but you'd better be ****ing good!...

Nine times out of ten, Barca are going to win because they are simply that good. It is about finding the setup to give you the best possibly chance of getting that one in ten game. Try and play football and they will tear you a new one because they are better. Try to contain, frustrate and counter them and you might nick something. Obviously, they are that good that the chances are you'll still lose but there is a better chance on getting a result that way than opening up against them imo

 

[Super G Ted'inho]

What do you mean that wasn't Chelsea's natural game?! Apart from under Ancelotti, they've been the bus parking kings for a decade!

My thinking exactly

 

[The RDBD]

"What do you mean that wasn't Chelsea's natural game?! Apart from under Ancelotti, they've been the bus parking kings for a decade!"

Ouch !!!

 

[FosseFilberto]

... we already have a plan for Barca ... by the time we play them in the final .... we will have sent Suarez, Messi and Neymar daily subliminal images of Robert Huth morphing into Freddy Kreuger .... doubt we'll see any of them venturing over the half way line tbf

 

[NSIS]

... we already have a plan for Barca ... by the time we play them in the final .... we will have sent Suarez, Messi and Neymar daily subliminal images of Robert Huth morphing into Freddy Kreuger .... doubt we'll see any of them venturing over the half way line tbf

Nah, they'll just send Suarez to bite his bollocks off!...

 

[luvgonzo]

Nah, they'll just send Suarez to bite his bollocks off!...

He's a complete loon, never seen him intimidated by anyone.

 

[Super G Ted'inho]

... we already have a plan for Barca ... by the time we play them in the final .... we will have sent Suarez, Messi and Neymar daily subliminal images of Robert Huth morphing into Freddy Kreuger .... doubt we'll see any of them venturing over the half way line tbf

So you expect huth to still be at the heart of your defence next year?

 

[The RDBD]

Nine times out of ten, Barca are going to win because they are simply that good. It is about finding the setup to give you the best possibly chance of getting that one in ten game. Try and play football and they will tear you a new one because they are better. Try to contain, frustrate and counter them and you might nick something.

The only opponent I have seen play their own game and demolish Barca was Munich in 2013.
They were fast in attack, their physicality flattened the tiki-taka MF, and they could hold
possession for a fair bit too.

IMHO the latter is the foundation for victory against them.
Yer average PL team cannot pass / hold possession tidily or in the face of an opposition press.

 

[littleDinosaurLuke]

The only opponent I have seen play their own game and demolish Barca was Munich in 2013.
They were fast in attack, their physicality flattened the tiki-taka MF, and they could hold
possession for a fair bit too.

IMHO the latter is the foundation for victory against them.
Yer average PL team cannot pass / hold possession tidily or in the face of an opposition press.

They murdered them, but nobody has bothered to try to repeat the tactics since. Why?

 

[Super G Ted'inho]

They murdered them, but nobody has bothered to try to repeat the tactics since. Why?

Because you have to have the players to do it?

 

[littleDinosaurLuke]

Because you have to have the players to do it?

True, but it shouldn't be beyond some of Europe's leading clubs or the top ones in Spain (domestically)

 

[luvgonzo]

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Edvard Munch's The Scream and Arsene Wenger's The Cry

 

[Super G Ted'inho]

True, but it shouldn't be beyond some of Europe's leading clubs or the top ones in Spain (domestically)

Teams are were they are because of how they've been playing previously. Its not that easy to just switch tactics when facing Barca. The teams facing Barca are attempting to play to their own strengths. Unfortunately for them, this usually plays into Barca's strengths too.

A club needs to be very adaptable or have tactics they regularly use that will work. Chelsea beating Barca a few years ago is a great example, Chelsea have parked the bus for years so it suited them, it was their strength.

 

[Stan]

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[NSIS]

They murdered them, but nobody has bothered to try to repeat the tactics since. Why?

It's worth a try, nothing else seems to work. If you can out muscle them in midfield, and then have the players who can keep the ball ( not easy) you might just have a chance.

IMO, this current side is a much better one than 2013. That was the side with an ageing Villa & Xavi, Fabregas, Sanchez, etc. O.k. Messi played, but there's a world of difference between facing just Messi and having Neymar and Suarez to contend with too.,