Yes, it is Barca and we have all 11 men!
Barcelona have not lost in their last 15 Champions League outings, a club and Spanish record. It’ll be great to break their record in the Bridge. Over the last two years, these two champion teams have met four times with one win apiece and two draws and scored 7 goals each and eliminated each other once from the Champions League. How even can this get?
Boss says that Drogba, Makelele and Ashley Cole are doubtful for the game. Drogba will be a loss whereas we have backups for Maka and Ashley Cole. Kalou should get a start hopefully. If Drogba starts, then we should be able to field the strongest possible Chelsea squad sans Cech. For Barca, there is no Eto’o this time and also no Belletti. Despite missing both the goalscorers of the their successful Champions League final last season, they are a formidable side.
Hilario must be a real lucky chap. Having got into a team as a thrid choice keeper, hom many will get to debut in the Champions League match against the Champions. He will be the man under the spotlight. This match will say a lot about his character. To expect a clean sheet is asking for too much. Barca is one of the teams against which clean sheet is only a remote possibility.
Hilario is no kid. He’s 30 years old. He’s played game after game in the first division and has played the odd Champions League game. He is calm and prepared, he is taking his time.
It was only on Saturday when he found out he would be playing because of the injuries to the two goalkeepers but, since then, he has been busy preparing, doing his homework as goalkeepers do. He came here knowing he was going to be third choice and third-choice goalkeepers don’t normally play. If you were to ask me the third-choice goalkeeper of Barca, Madrid, Manchester United or Arsenal I wouldn’t be able to tell you.
They’re normally anonymous but now he gets a great chance to play against the champions of Europe. He will go into the game with a great mix of emotions. He is going to be excited but at the same time he will have a mix of sadness because of the absence of his great friend and the way his great friend got hurt.
Barca’s last Champions League defeat was on 8 March 2005 at Stamford Bridge (4-2). How many teams have scored 4 goals against Barca? You should remember that match! Just to refresh your memory below video contains all goals of this great match, which is my all-time favourite.
Gudjohnsen would play against Chelsea for the first time since he left us. And he said:
I have a lot of respect for Chelsea and their fans because I had six great years there. I don’t know how the fans will react to me, but I hope they react well because Chelsea has been part of my life. But now I have to give everything to my new team and concentrate on Barça.
This is an important game, against a tough, difficult, solid and organised team. They can surprise and still come back if you score against them first. We have to concentrate really hard for this match, they will take advantage of any circumstance and the smallest chances. It is a good ground and good game to play in.
Dont worry Eidur, we love ya. In fact, Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck will present Eidur Gudjohnsen with a crystal glass award in gratitude for his service to Chelsea at the end of Barcelona’s warm-up on the pitch before this match.
Coming back to this match, if someone gives me a 1-1 draw, I would take it with both hands.
could be a boring 0-0 draw
Chelsea will win 2-1
Chelsea team:
Hilario
Boulahrouz
Terry (c)
Carvalho
A Cole
Makelele
Essien
Lampard
Ballack
Shevchenko
Drogba
subs: Ferreira, Ma Kalamby, J Cole, Robben, Kalou, Mikel, Bridge
For Barcelona
Eider starts so does Messi and Ronaldinho. Wth the exception of Bellitti, the rest picks itself. Deco, Zambrotta and the rest.
COME ON CHELSEA!!!
apologies. one sub wrong. Should have been Geremi and not Mikel
Chelsea subs: Ma Kalamby, J Cole, Robben, Kalou, Bridge, Geremi, Ferreira
COME ON CHELSEA!!
Cogratulations to all. We won 1-0.
For me match is as follows:
Positive points
1. Great defensive display
2. Great midfield display,we just put them to death in midfield especially in 2nd half
3. Great team work
4. Attack was in unison for first time this season, I think…but still scope for improvement
5. Last but not the least, great performance by Hilario
Negative points
1. We could have scored 3 more goals, need to capitalise on all chances we get
2. Shevchenko disappointed me
Man of the match:
Michael Essien
and also
a result dedicated to a lady called Vicky Buchanan who was killed in a car crash yesterday. Vicky worked at Chelsea and was well known by the players and Jose.
Respect and RIP Vicky
I think its our best performance this season so far. You can’t ask for more as far as defence and midfield is concerned. I hope we continue this form both at EPL and CL..Sheva is misfiring a bit but lets hope he regains his touch and then it can only be nightmare for our opponents with Sheva and Drogba firing simultaneously. But I still think we need a bit more pacy and creative attack. We are not able to make those cheeky inroads in opposition defence.
Nonetheless its time to cherish this victory.
Come on Chelsea, paint it BLUE.
Chelsea only won because the great Eto was absent.
That was poor argument. Did you say in the last two seasons, that Barca won only because Chelsea got the red cards?
We played with a third choice goalkeeper and came out with a clean sheet! Great show by Chelsea defence and shame on Barca!
BARCA ROCKS!!!
chelsea will rule all da teams in england