After watching the Fulham 1-1 Chelsea game. I don't see how we can beat Barcelona who have world class talent in every position as we struggle against teams like Fulham and got lucky against Wigan. Chelsea have no width at all, our squad doesn't have goals in it which is why we are 6th in the league. Also Cahill and Terry find it tough against pacey players with exceptional dribbling skills like Frie, Ruiz and Ben Arfa. So how can they cope with the three time world player of the year winner Messi? I'm proud of the effort the lads have given us this season in the league and reaching the semi finals in the UCL is an impressive achievement. Hope that Newcastle and Tottenham both lose their next match and Chelsea win our next match to get 4th. I know that's unlikey but possible. All we can do is believe against Barca I would love it if we beat them over the two legs though.
I think your best bet is to play with Drogba as a lone striker, crowd out the midfield - abandon any width in attack (not that there was any at the Cottage) and try to snuff out everything quickly. This is not a game for Mikel or Meireles, although your midfield is so weak that they might have to start. I'd go with three at the back in the centre, with Luiz stepping forward to follow Messi when he drops and Cahill and Terry sweeping up behind. Drogba up front takes pressure of the defence, providing he holds it up in the way he is capable of doing. At set pieces Chelsea should dominate.
The biggest mistake is trying to concentrate on Messi. Man marking him will result in him being able to draw continuous fouls. Neutralise the supply and he's out.
Agreed. Xavi, Fabregas and Iniesta will destroy you even if you manage to keep Messi quiet. It would be a mistake to play a 5 man defence, given they don't really have a centre forward you would have big centre halves waiting for clever, passing runners at speed. You have to stop them further up the pitch and for your sake, don't play Lampard, he will be a spectator.
Bosi (!) marked Messi out of the game last time when we were a better side admittedly. Barca have not beaten us in five matches though: we are their nemesis... and never 11 v 11 in the last eight games
If we play like we have been we will get turtled to be honest, but deserve some kudos for being there. Even the spuds on Sunday is a tall order never mind Barca, but cup competitions have thrown up bigger surprises before so can't lose faith
Exactly because even if you just concentrate on marking Messi this opens up space for other Barca players like Alexis, Iniesta and Fabregas who can also hurt defences. Our form in Europe/UCL is better than premier league though. Its going to be difficult that is for sure.
You need to have an out ball. They can press so well that sometimes the long ball is effective. So I would play drogba and not be afraid to pump it up to him. The chances are they will tear you apart though.
We have to play on the counter, Drogba has to play and have 2 great games. He needs to be drawing fouls and then we should have the edge on set pieces. The job is no different really to that in 09. We need to pack the midfield and don't let them get near the goal. For that we need a lot of energy in the midfield. The 3 that played that day were Essien, Ballack and Lampard. The 2 that remain at the club might not be capable of doing that job for 90 minutes anymore. Last 3 games we have been poor but ultimately we will raise our game v Barca and hopefully we get a little (lot of!!) luck against them for once.
