Remember this?

Many of us feel that this Barca game is inconsequential and not crucial. I don’t think so. We should not lose to them to ensure the topping of the group which ‘might’ draw us with a runner-up of another group. This is no guarantee or short-cut, after all, Chelsea was a runner-up of the group in the last season, but still let’s top the group atleast for the pride. Let’s make a mockery of the group of death and put Barca under pressure to qualify and let it be for the whole world to see.

Barca has just beaten Recreativo 3-0 of which Ronnie scored two. Well, even before our first leg, they had beaten Sevilla 3-1 when Ronnie had scored two. So, Barca are playing good football and are in good form. In their run of form, Chelsea and Real Madrid have stolen a couple of days.

Though Drogba & Sheva are travelling they may not be available for the match. So, we face Barca at Nou Camp with no Drogba, Sheva and Cech which far bigger damage than Barca not having Eto’o. Jose is a champion. He has arranged a squad that can fit any situation or any formation. Now, considering the current scenario as we face Barca, a draw should be a good result for us. So, I fancy playing a 4-2-3-1 with both Maka and Essien playing which should virtually shut Barca out of the match.

———————–Hilario——————————–
Boulahrouz——-Carvalho——–Terry———–A.Cole
———Makalele——————-Essien—————–
Robben——————Ballack——————Lampard

————————Kalou——————————–

Cudicini is finally fit and is available for selection. But Hilario was very good over the last two weeks. Had a great game against Sheff where he saved a bad penalty and made a couple of good saves. Let’s remember that he is still insufficiently tested by any of the teams including Barca. He never had to make too many full blooded diving saves or never faced 5 - 10 shots on target. This is not to take away the credit from him but let’s see the reality. All said, I would once again pick Hilario and give an easier match for Cudicini to make a come back. After all, Hilario is in good form and Cudicini lacks match practice and has not played a match since his discharge from the hospital.

There are some rumours that Barca is preparing for a bid of Deco + 10m euros for Lampard. May this one is triggered by the Spanish press ahead of the very important (for them!) clash against Chelsea on Tuesday. Anyway, Jose-boy Deco has categorically denied any such thing. Lamps will have to put up with these rumours for more years as his partner is Catalan and the press would never stop. They might even write that Frankie wants to learn Spanish for which he wants to move to Barca. Neither CFC nor Jose has bothered to respond to these rumours.

With Barca surely looking for a win, it would be a very open game where we should see goals from both teams. I wish our goals to shot on target ratio improves this match. If we improve on our finishing, we are in for a football treat.

Optimistic: 0-2. Pessimistic: 2-1. Realistic: 1-1.