I think Barcelona Will win for sure. Ronaldinho is better then the whole chelsea team

Damn..i like both teams, tough call!
Two amazing teams, may the best one win

Its a rare occasion when i cheer for Chelsea...

I really want Barcelona to teach Chelsea a lesson. Betis beat them once, and it'll serve Mourinho right to get tossed out of the CL.

Amen to that

Really don't know... Two excellent teams... Barcelona will want some revenge but Chelsea knows how to motivate for these games! Mourinho will know how to prepare Chelsea's players! Gonna be a tight match and the winner will be decided by who is more concentrated: Barcelona's technic and speed or Chelsea's ball control and pace!!

I'm looking forward to see the game and the verbal fight before the clashes (i'm sure this game will spend a lot of ink in the newspapers)!

Chelsea ofcourse, Mourinho will make Barca weep..............again

LMAO! Barcelona are going to destroy Chelsea... Chelsea, who do you think you are????????? Barcelona have got the better defense at the moment. A better midfield and better forwards by far...., their tactics are great. Mourinho is the one who is going to be doing the weeping. Chelsea play tough football but they don't have shit on Barca. Barcelona play a faster and a way more attractive game. ....

First game 2-1 for Barca
Second game 3-1 for Barca

I'm convinced Barca'll win it this time.

Simply because they're the better side, and not to forget; JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED

Ofcourse, Barcelona were also better than us last season. How can you say their defence are better than ours?

I think he means Barca defense is much better than last year.

For the record:

Barcelona (La Liga) : P: 15 GA: 13
Chelsea (EPL) : P: 16 GA : 7

Barcelona (UCL) : P: 6 GA: 2
Chelsea (UCL) : P: 6 GA: 1

Enough said about defence.

^ Chelsea play much more defending and counter-ish though..........

Does not matter, I am just stating at who has the better defence in their respective leagues.

I think there won't be a lot of goals in both games.

It will be weird seeing a game which involves a defensive team like Chelski and a free flowing attacking team like farcelona.

I think that Cheski has the upper on this one, due to the fact that Oleguer and Co. will have a very tough time containing the massive counter attacks that Lamps and company will get through, and Eto'o's scrawny ass will be a great meal for Terry and Co.

This is the first and only time I will cheer for Chelski in my life, and I guess that means they are destined to lose.. being that cheering for Real hasnt helped me much this year

Well this time Barca is going to destroy Chelsea...

VISCA EL BARCA!!!

Chelsea is gonna beat Braca as they did it last year.

Well said, man, well said. Las year we deserved to win, but this dumb Carvalho did a clear foul on Valdes and in the Nou Camp Chelsea was in defence with 11 men.
Now, this year, our defence is better than last year, we have a new star Messi, but we lost Xavi. But thats ok, coz everybody can see that Barca plays better football and if anti-football (Chelsea) wins again, then there most be something wrong with the world.

prepare for the rapture then, because Chelski will be the anti-barça again

In all seriousness, I think the 1st game will decide everything.

I think its going to be very close, one goal difference should decide it.
I expect Chelsea to make it through as defense has usually the upperhand over offense.
I am very sure that none of the 2 teams will be destroyed, therefore both teams are too well.

Most interesting battle of these 16. Two teams, both one of the best teams in the world. Difficult to say who will win, but I hope for Barcelona! I expect great 2 matches between these two teams

the scores will be 3-0 in spain and 1-2 in england, .... final score barcelona 5-1 chelsea


i think this poll also means the best team in the world atm ..... barca, chelsea (and maybe ac milan) are the top 3 teams...
barca will win it though

Many differences between this year and last year.

1) Ronaldinho. He was absolutley amazing last year, but he is MUCH better now. He has more goals so far this year then he did all of last year. He is ona different level this year. Whoever plays right back will be in a lot of trouble.

2) Messi. Messi has been brought up to the top level and nobody has been able to stop him. Del Horno will have a hard time. If Del Horno decides to attack at all, Messi will score.

3) The midfield. Last year we had Deco and Xavi. But we had GERARD as the DM. Gerard is awful. The injuries were so bad we didn't have Motta, Edmilson, or Marquez at DM. Edmilson will probably man-mark Lampard like he did against Riquelme, he completely shut down Riquelme, you didn't even notice Riquelme was playing. Or if Motta is playing, he will own Lampard. He is big, strong, fast, a good tackler, and good with the ball.

Of course we don't have Xavi this year. This is a huge blow. But Chelsea will be without Essien, and van Bommel will be more than capable of taking over.

4) The defense. Rijkaard has found a defense that works. Sylvinho or Gio will be on the left. Hopefully Sylvinho plays, he and Ronaldinho link up nicely. Either way, both can defend and attack well.

Oleguer is not in the center anymore. Instead it will be Marquez and Puyol, who have been working awesome this year. Puyol can mark Drogba and Marquez can mark Crespo since he is better in the air. This is a much stronger CB partnership than Oleguer-Puyol that we saw last year.

Belletti is not the right back. Now Oleguer is right back. He is less offensive minded and that is why counter-attacks against us have not been as efficient this year. Oleguer stays back and defends. And he has been surprisingly awesome at right back at well. He has changed from CB to RB flawlessly. On the right he is less mistake-prone.
--------------------------
I think the key to winning this game will be controlling counter-attacks and stopping the wingers. The forwards are not good enough to be dangerous threats against Puyol and Marquez. If Lampard is covered by Edmilson like Edmilson owned Riquelme, then Lampard should be no problem. So the burden will fall on Chelsea's wingers. The left winger will have a harder time against Oleguer who will not venture forward, but the right winger hopefully does not get the better hand over Sylvinho or Gio because they go forward a lot.

Barca will be constantly pressing against Chelsea while Chelsea sit back. Ronaldinho, Eto'o, and Messi will get the job done up front. Chelsea will wait for counter attacks to get goals in. They will attack more from the sides since the middle will be filled with giants like Motta, Edmilson, Marquez, and Puyol. They will get a couple of goals from the sides while R.E.M up front will ship in many.

Last year's bench looked like this:
Albertini
Damia
Navarro Fernando
Ludovic Giuly
Jorquera
Maxi Lopez
Sylvinho

Our team was plagued by injury. This year it will look something like:
Jorquera
Sylvinho/Gio
Edmislon/Motta
Belletti
Iniesta
Larsson
Giuly

With the added depth this year, the better defense, and MUCH improved attack, and the advantage of home field in the second leg, I believe Barcelona win.
2-2 at Stamford Bridge.
4-1 to Barca at the Nou Camp.
6-3 aggregate score.

So that is the report for the many Chelsea fans that haven't watched a Barca game since the CL last year.

Why doesn't a Chelsea fan enlighten us on their reasons on why Chelsea will win.

Absolute joke of a game to get first up

who cares who wins or loses, one quality team will be out in the first round

hoping its the chelsea scum

I would say barca but I have a feeling Chelsea might nab it

Barça will triumph, that's all I can say.

I simply can't wait!

I like the first comment, ronaldinho is better than the whole Chelsea team, I wonder why they lost last year then?? I think Barca should do it barring injuries, their defense isn't great, but Chelsea doesn't really fire on all cylinders unless Robben is on. Should be a quality clash. Barca are better this year but Chelsea are so consistent. Looking forward to it. The cockiness of the barca fans here actually makes me want Chelsea to win massively.

I cannot believe some of you guys predict who is going to win. Football is not an 8 year old's sport in judgement. "Well, if you beat that team 5-1, you can beat this team 10-0."

You will be surprised if you pick either of the teams to win.

I'm not a Chelsea fan but I think you just need to watch the first 20 minutes at Stamford Bridge last year to see where Chelsea can break Barca. The fast-break, getting in behind the full-backs (and with Robben and Duff, that is lethal) who are very attacking players as is the tradition in Spanish teams. Getting those crosses in the box for Drogba/Crespo or pulling the ball back for Lampard running into the box.
It seems quite clear to me that again Barcelona will have the better of the possession and goal chances but last year that led to their downfall as they were brilliantly caught on the counter by a rampant Chelsea side, the best period of play any team produced last season IMO, Mourinho's tactical skills I think still find no equivalent in Rijkaard. That could play a big role too.

Wait and see but I'm putting my money on the Blues

Barca for me just pure class. Too much for Chelsea. Easy win for Barca imo, you wait and see.

all 3 players in the fifa wpoy shortlist are in this two legged match...can't wait to see the stadiums' atmospheres! it will be the most intense of all the matches of the first round

Obviously no one knows for sure, but we're allowed to say who we think is going to win; there's nothing wrong with that.

I can somehow not understand how most people think that Barca will win these matches easy, clear etc.
They play for the first time in this CL season against a team that gets pretty close or is even equal with Barca's class so i guess its not going to be easy at all, i also can't see aggregate scores like 5-1 to Barca happen.

Same happened last season, people thought that Barca are going to school Chelsea, which they failed to do. Same might happen again.

Good point D

I really can't decide who will win and I am not just going to offer a biased opinion like all you Barca fans do.

Barcelona is a favourite at this point, but come February, that might change.

But I strongly believe that Chelsea are the only team in Europe that can contend with Barcelona at least.

Apart from a 15-minute nervous breakdown, we did school you over the course of two legs and could've won if Eto'o had converted his point blank miss, if Puyol's header wasn't saved off the line, or if Carvalho didn't foul Valdes on the last goal. And let's not forget that we had the headless chicken Gerard playing as a DM. But I'm not one to cry over spilt milk because whatever happened is in the past now.

I'm not saying this will be easy for Barça, I don't think anyone in their mind mind can think that. However, our team is much more balanced now, we have shown that we've learned from our mistakes, and we also play the 2nd leg at home this time around. Also, you will be missing Essien and that's a big blow for you guys IMO (thank God for that actually because I want Eto'o, Dinho, Messi, etc to be able to walk off the pitch with both legs in tact after the match).

If this match was to be played this weekend, I'd put all my money on Barça. But you're right, a lot can change until February (injuries, loss of form, etc.) so we can do another preview a few days before the actual matchday.

For now, I'm confident that Barça will be able to prevail. I'm not saying it will be easy, but I really feel that we can do it. In February the circumstances may be completely different though (let's say we're missing Eto'o, Dinho, Puyol, and Deco. Obviously I wouldn't be so confident anymore).

People seem to be highlighting that Barcelona are better than they were last season, while forgetting that Chelsea are heaps better too from last season.

Joe Cole has transformed, he gave you troubles last season, expect more of those this time around. His confidence is blooming, and he will be fired up.

Lampard is his usual, killer passes and hard working through the midfield.

Set pieces will be key in this tie, since Chelsea can score plenty from those, and I am sure Barca can aswell.

I am really pinning Joe Cole as the player to watch for this clash, and on the Barca side, I would put my watch on Messi, since I really think those two will play a big part in their respective teams, in the tie.

Since you are a Chelsea fan, I am going to ask you. With current injuries and suspensions, who do you think Mourinho will play? 1 or 2 strikers? Which wingers? How will the back line look?

So you guys know, the Barca team will look like this depending on injuries and rotations.


------------------Eto'o------------------
--Ronaldinho-------------------Messi--

----------Deco----v. Bommel----------
------------Motta/Edmilson------------

Sylvinho/Gio--Marquez--Puyol--Oleguer-

-----------------Valdez-----------------

Big difference from last year. More strength in the middle with Motta, Edmilson, and Marquez back in the lineup that they missed last year.

Simple, counting that Makalele will be back soon (I really don't see a point as counting him as an injured player anymore)

Without Essien it should be no problem either
Basic line-up would follow:

----------------------------Cech--------------------------------

-----------------Terry----------------Carvalho/Gallas--------

------Farreira-----------------------------------Del Horno----

-------------------------Lampard------------------------------

--------------Cole----------------------Makalele--------------


---Duff/SWP-----------------Crespo----------------Robben--------

A more spread out field may sound vulnerable, but I think that that is the way to go here. And most importantly, to keep possession of the ball. Short passes will be key, long balls I doubt will be as effective as they usually are.

Drogba will be away at the African Nations cup, now don't take my word for it, I think he will be away during this time, but I may be wrong.

Gallas should start along with Terry as the center of defence.

Barcelona's midfield is friggin' packed, but I am sure the Blues can contend at least, give you guys a challenge, something no team has give you yet this season.

Where I see Chelsea getting that away goal at Nou Camp is from a set piece, Barcelona better not give away silly fouls or they will pay for it.

The wingers, well, what else is there to say, they will huff and puff, Duff and Robben will try their best that is for sure, will they succeed? There is no way to tell right now, until we at least see a game between the two teams. I hope they succeed though.

If Barcelona stretch us, we have to use that to our advantage, and hit them on the counter. The pace of the game I think will also be key to Chelsea's success. Such as last season at SB, the pace we set for the first 20 minutes, was unbearable for Barca. Keeping that pace for the whole 90 minutes is a challenge on it's own, one that we failed to do back then, but I am confident we can keep this time around.

I think Mourinho will go with one striker this time, as always. But I do feel that Gudjohsen and Cole would be an explosive duo. Maybe have Cole switch to striker and Gudjohnsen right behind him, such as this:

-------------Gudjohnsen-------------
Duff---------Cole-----------Robben

But that is questionable.

I like that formation. Will be easier if it were like that.

I think Drogba will be back by then though. If he were, who would start? Crespo or Drogba?

Ronaldinho will have his way with Ferreira. Hopefully Ferreira plays and not Gallas on the right. And I also think Messi will have the upper hand over Del Horno. Most likely, Deco will be controlled by Makelele. And Motta and Edmilson will control any threats from Lampard and Cole. And I like that there will be one striker. Puyol can cover him and Marquez can sweep from side to side and be a tower in the middle.

I think the key matchups will be from the wings. The center of midfield looks to be quite balanced out, with both teams able to cancel out the other's threats. The weaknessess in Barca's defense are the full backs. And Barca's biggest attacking threat comes from the wingers. Ronaldinho and Messi will have their way. But I think Robben and Duff may struggle a bit. That is where the difference will be. Also, Eto'o will be key. If he can finish his chances this year, it will be different. His speed will be hard for Terry to control.



Some key matchups:
Ronaldinho vs. Ferreira
Eto'o vs. Terry/Gallas
Messi vs. Del Horno
Deco vs. Makelele
Motta vs. Cole
Edmilson vs. Lampard
Sylvinho/Gio vs. Duff/SWP
Puyol vs. Crespo/Drogba
Oleguer vs. Robben

Here are going to be the matchups in the game. The players highlighted are the ones I think will have the upper hand. Motta vs. Cole will be an interesting one as well. But I think Motta's size and aggression will be able to hold the trickster. I am also confident Edmilson can control Lampard. He was able to control Riquelme, so I believe Lampard will have the same trouble.



Last year, shots and shots on goal were:
50 shots and 18 shots on target for Barcelona
15 shots and 8 shots on target for Chelsea

Possession over the two legs was an average of 69% to 31% for Barcelona.

That is 35 more shots and 10 more on taget over the two legs. We clearly had more chances. But we failed to put them away. If Eto'o were more critical in front of goal we would have won easily. And possession was a clear favorite to Barcelona. This is the kind of possession we get against the worst teams in La Liga. Hopefully we can keep the same possession without Xavi. Chelsea scored 5 goals with 8 on target. Chelsea won because they put away the VERY few chances they had.

It was clear last year who was the better team. This year it will be clear again. We will have more chances and possession. But I strongly believe we will be able to prevail this time. Defence is stronger and offence is MUCH stronger.

both teams reall got a good line up..but i think that barca will go on top...because i think they got a better midfield than chelsea and can score more goals than chelsea...but i think this matchup could be so tough they might have to deccide it with penalties in the last game...and if drogba gets back by then...i hope he gets knock the f**k out

Waaaaaaaay too tight to call imo, Chelsea can't be underestimated, see last year (and I also feel the Carvalho foul was balanced out by Drogba's sending off and the 50/50 pen on Ferreira last year, the ref didn't cost you the game, your inability to put away basic chances cost you the game just as badly...anyway all in the past) but if the game was played now Barca would take it...Febuary let's see.

Well cant wait for the match ... last season this match was the best of the CL ... better than the CL finals IMO coz the quality of football was better though the finals was something special too.


As far as comparing the teams go I would say that Chelsea havent strengthed much from last season. The 3 changes we made might not prove that much of a diff.

Del Horno - Will help to get forward more and is a bonus compared to last season
Crespo - I really hope he plays but I have a feeling Drogba will start and will miss a couple of sitters.

Essien - This was the one area which I felt we were weak last time and felt Essien will help but now that he is suspended that edge is out of the window.

As far as Barca goes their depth in squad is much better but I wouldnt really be worried at the likes of Larson as pointed out by some. I mean he may be great but he wont be giving Terry and Co. sleepless nights. Also last yr they had to rely on Maxi Lopez and he got a goal so its not always the big names needed to win you matches.

As far as people saying that Ronaldinho is in better form I would say that last time too in the Stamford Bridge match he did produce the 1 individual moment of magic and I think it will take some effort to top a goal like that one..

All in all I feel as of now Barca have the edge. On the other hand Feb is a long time away. A few injuries here and there and things could change a lot.

For Chelsea a settled striker would greatly help and also having Robben back would be crucial.



As far as I see looking at Ferreira's current form and Mourinho's team choice ATM I would say the defence would be :

Gallas - Terry - Carvalho - Del Horn

So we would have Gallas Vs Ronaldinho. I would be very very pleased with that as Gallas IMO is the best defender with the most pace and should cope with the pace of Ronaldinho. Also he doesnt usually lunge into a challenge and so I wont be scared each time Ronaldinho dances in and around the box as I would be with Carvalho who might dive in and give a penalty.

For Chelsea the home leg needs to be a 2-0 to win the tie ... Anything else and Barca should win this one.
Practically speaking on current form I would expect :

2-1 Chelsea at SB
3-1 Barca at Nou Camp

Lets look at the three new players from last year.

Del Horno-He is good, but he likes to attack a lot. Which could be a mistake with Messi on the other side. Last year Iniesta was at our RF spot. Messi is a huge difference from Messi. Way more explosive and can take advantage of Del Horno going forward.

Essien-I think his absence is for the good of the game. Not only do I not want him because he is a dirty player and can injure someone, but it sort of evens out the absence of Xavi. Xavi's injury was a huge blow to us, and the absence of Essien will make it better for us.

Crespo-A great finisher. He can finish the few chances that you will get. Bu will he even play with Drogba on the team?

Not much of an advantage and difference from last year.

And I am a big fan of Gallas. He is a great player, MUCH better than that clown Ferreira. But I don't think anyone can have his way with Ronaldinho. But I know he will have a good game against Ronaldinho.

Nice to see that you are realistic and can predict a Barca win. Good to see you aren't totally biased like Man Utd. fans.

I am dying for this match though. I can't wait for 2 whole months! I am going to go crazy.

Well I am not totally sure about your comments on Del Horno. Clearly you must not have seen too much of him at Chelsea. While he might have gone forward a lot in Spain at Chelsea under Mourinho he is pretty reserved. Infact if anything I feel he stays back a bit too much.

Mourinho somehow doesnt tend to push the full backs too much forward. That is where we find ourselves in trouble against some defensive teams when we need the full backs on overlapping runs but the rarely ever get ahead of the wingers.

So Del Horno will be there defending for sure. Also Duff gets back and supports him quite a lot. I think the 2 of them should be able to handle Messi. What I would be worried is that if Robben plays he wont get back to help Gallas defend. If Cole plays it will be fine he defends well.

As far as Essien goes plz give this guy a break..... He isnt a dirty player and its not like each match he breaks someones leg. Infact how many players legs has he broken so far???
If he indeed was such a dirty player why is it that he hardly ever has any other dirty incidents during the game apart from the 2 incidents. I dont see him behaving like a Savage or a Diouf ... I dont see him spitting at players, Infact I dont see him involved in fights with players or anything !!!

If Crespo is on form when Chelsea play Barca I will be very confident. His off the ball runs are right up there with the very best and is one of the most intelligent strikers running off the ball. He should find plenty of spaces in between Puyol and Oleguer.



Well thats always or most of the times the case with Chelsea. They tend to put away the few Chances they have. Many times they might have 2-3 shots and score 1-2 goals and win. Look at the game against Liverpool we had like 5-7 chances and won 4-1 !! The only player in Chelsea who is likely to goof up on easy chances is Drogba and sometimes Gudjohnsen. The rest of the midfield ie Lamps, Duff, Robben and Cole and the striker ie Crespo tend to put away any chance they get.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As far as me being realistic goes look on the left and you will see I like Barca too Infact till last season I didnt know which team I liked more Chelsea or Barcelona but right from the first kick of the ball at the Nou Camp I knew my heart was on Chelsea and since then I know its Chelsea first that I love and then Barca. So I think I am not going to be like those Manutd fans !!!!!!

with all due respect to the barca fans who thought they were cheated, as someone else pointed out, chelsea was threatening barca really badly at the nou camp until an unfair red card was issued by that austrian that met with rijkaard...also a the pk that was given to barca at stamford bridge was a bit of a rash decision by the ref (hand ball in the outer part of the 18-yard box)...

i think this game will be a 1 goal difference in aggregate, or even end up depending on the home and away goals...but i think chelsea will take it again, as they mourinho just seems to fire up the lads whenever they need it, like against liverpool this season in the epl rippin the european champions apart.

chelsea has too much depth, if there's a key injury, there'sa key player to replace any position, barca doesn't have that royalty.

and if essien is gone, isn't eto'o going to be away as well? or not? please let me know barca fans

Wow a post like that from a liverpool fan showing support for Chelsea is rare !!!

Anyways as far as your point goes I wont say too much abt Rijkaard and the ref but yes the red card was a bit lucky to Barca as on another day it could very well have not been given. I think Drogba had 3-4 tackles and then was given a yellow. Then soon he had another to which the ref gave the 2nd yellow and the red if my memory serves me right. On another occassion the ref might have resisted the 2nd yellow to keep it 11 on 11.

All the Barca fans though conviniently forget that chelsea did play well in the first half at Nou Camp and looked threatening on the counter in the first leg too. All they remember is the last 20 min after the sending off when it was Barca vs 10 Chelsea men trying to limit the damage and come away from Barca with as good a result as possible and do the business at home.

Also saying things like Chelsea got the goals only coz of Barcas errors is absolute crap as Chelsea created all the goals with good counters. One was a mistake where the barca player I think Xavi gave the ball away after he slipped and led to the goal.

But then Barcas goal was through a mistake by a Chelsea player wasnt it ? A hand ball by Ferreira was what got the goal. The second goal was a pure stroke of genius by a great player.

When you say you got 2 goals against Chelsea away it wasnt like you sliced through the defence and got some easy goals ...

Barca struggled to break the defence and only a single piece of magic and a penalty got the 2 goals.

Thanks for your honesty, I will savour this moment.

If the ref is fair on both days
Barca will win
I hope the two best teams in Europe eet in the final in Paris
Barca vs Juventus would be ideal