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Red cards, yellow cards and injuries have denied fans at the Camp Nou the spectacle that had been hyped for the second leg of the Barcelona-Arsenal tie, and has created a few pressing concerns for Pep Guardiola's side.
Carles Puyol is sent off
©Getty Images
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Make no mistake, Barça should go through to the next round despite the loss of Gerard Piqué and Carles Puyol, if for no other reason than for the fact that Arsenal are even more ravaged by suspensions and injuries. When your team have the obligation to attack, not being able to field Cesc Fabregas and Andrei Arshavin is not the most welcome of news. Sit back and defend with Sol Campbell as stand-in for William Gallas and you've got yourself a problem in defence as well.
If Barcelona play anywhere near as well as they did in the first half on Wednesday night, then progression is the logical conclusion to a tie which will lack Fabregas returning home (Camp Nou) to face old friends (Puyol, Piqué). The events of the first leg do, however, give plenty of cause for concern ahead of next weekend's Clasico against Real Madrid.
Against one of the top goalscorers in the league, Barça are likely to start with a back four who have not played together for more than a couple of games at a time in the past month. Puyol and Piqué have been rested and picked up injuries -and have a final chance to team up before the Clasico in this weekend's league fixture. Dani Alves' self-imposed suspension with a yellow card against Mallorca seemed clever at the time to the Brazilian, but means that Rafa Marquez will be played on the right instead of getting ready for a Champions League start in the centre. Chygrinsky is useless, and in any case ineligible to play in European competition. Eric Abidal is only just back from injury.
Not all of the key quartet can play together in either of the two games leading up to the league clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. Sergi Busquets may also miss the game itself if he picks up a card this weekend. Against an impotent and captain-less Arsenal, Barcelona should get away with it. Madrid may not be so forgiving...
Comments
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Posted by Howard on 04/01/2010
Mind your words.You might be laughing at the wrong side of your mouth. Its two-legged game and stop the arrogance.
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Posted by Mr Badmus Alabi on 04/01/2010
I think MILITO and Yaya Toure will fit in the central role.and Abidal will be okay at the LB.
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Posted by neo on 04/02/2010
Philip Lahm as the ideal signing for Barca. Wonder why it hasn't happened as yet...
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Posted by Pratik on 04/02/2010
Chygrinsky is not useless. He's a squad player, nothing more or less than that.
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Posted by theo on 04/02/2010
barca have the chance of winning any of the competitions and even all of the competitions.all you need to do is to tainned hard and sucess is yours.
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Posted by neo on 04/03/2010
chygrinksy prob might need more time to settle. I unno to tell u the truth but he sure as hell cost us quite a bit..can't wait for the arsenal showdown again
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Posted by meban catalans on 04/03/2010
@neo : well if so Philip Lahm joins Barca, den da squad will b a complete 1. As i really love da way Phillip Lahm plays down da left as a left back(wen playing 4 Germany) n cut inside n not 2 4get his accurate crossing......
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Posted by jon on 04/04/2010
yes. barcelona do have a cause for concern especially since marquez did not play against bilbao. Milito has been doing pretty well in the center of defence and i am sure he will be able to keep the form against arsenal. i do not see any problems against real with puyol and pique rested and alves, abidal, maxwell and chygrinsky avaliable.
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Posted by herrera on 04/04/2010
we all know that we are not just talking about any team. Barcelona is Barcelona and with the players it has and its will to produce i say that there is not an obstacle for them. and lets give the players respect and credit...no one is useless. after all Barca is one if not the greatest team in this planet.the chess pieces are in place is up to Guardiola to move and check mate. Barcelona will win... 3-0
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Posted by fredrick on 04/04/2010
ithink abidal,milito,dani alves,and toure yaya are good at the back,while insetia ,xavi and segio at the mid feild,while pedro ,messi and henry upfrnt is a gud start plz.keep it up coach.hapy easter
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Posted by alonso on 04/04/2010
barca will win the 2nd leg with or with out pique n puyol they perfect 99.9%.with philip lahm join barca it will be 100% perfect.philip lahm on the left,dani alves on the right.the overlaping attcking defencive duo.
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Posted by neo on 04/05/2010
Yes,ive been watching lahm in his games quite often. He is likely to fit so well into Barca's attacking philosphy, I think Barca tried to buy him at first according to what i heard, but couldn't meet his club's asking price...our problems this tuesday will stem mainly from theo walcott, he's fast, smart and hence hard to pin down. Now ibra is sidelined and somehow I can't expect henry to play like henry because of his (emotional attachment to arsenal)lol...but I believe in Barca as a great team and I know the fancs and the players will guide us through...go barca!!
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Posted by mr victor on 04/05/2010
baca will beat arsenal at home even wit 9 players.... not witstandijg the presense of milito and toure and even abidal ,,,, barca is a beter team to arsenal though they play almost thesame patern of football but barca is still barca and curently rated as the best team in the world today which means they are on great form as at today so i dont see arsenal posing a threat to barca at estadio nou camp nd i am 100% sure barca will win the second leg
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Posted by Adeyemi on 04/05/2010
We are the champion of europe.one love my people.up barcelona.up entire barca players
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Posted by Adeyemi on 04/05/2010
We are the champion of europe.one love my people.up barcelona.up entire barca players
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Posted by massa23 on 04/05/2010
crap. arsenal sure win. soccer is all fixed ^^
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Posted by Lake on 04/05/2010
i strongly believe barca should progress to the semi-final after the second leg against arsenal.regardless of the injuries,we have been in great form.Barca!u cant beat the reach....
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Posted by 4ward on 04/05/2010
what ever i think yaya ture and milito is ok at that back while alves and abidal go at rb and lb
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Posted by neo on 04/05/2010
@adeyemi...u dey craze lol
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Posted by Egwu Emeka Okpara on 04/05/2010
The only thing barca needs is to continue their noraml tradition of attacking football and the coach should also replace injured zlatan with Borjan and forget about Thiery Henry. Also they should think of a way of marking Theo out of the game
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Posted by Joe Jacques on 04/05/2010
Let's not forget that Barcelona destroyed Man U in the final last year with a ravaged defense. It does not matter who plays back. It is their midfield that wins games for them and Xavi and Iniesta are both healthy presently.
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Posted by Gun Man on 04/05/2010
You call Arsenal Impotent and Captainless, at the end of the game at Camp Nou, You will be singing a new song..Hail Gunners!
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Posted by boniface on 04/05/2010
the truth shal remain the truth arsenal has to pack at nou comp even without puyo and piq.i also agree with the point of resting henry.lets go baca we are there backing you up to the finals as break the boundaries of history by geting the cup in consective raw since UEFA stated.baca 4-0 arsenal.
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Posted by Dele on 04/05/2010
Well i think barca is always bacca nd forever we will be..its always so difficult to stop the world best whenever its his day.Messi will surely prove all barca haters that he remains the world best against arsenal,but with madrid will be more easier .Inshallau
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Posted by jnelson on 04/06/2010
First of all, Marquez DOES NOT play RB. Second of all, why Lahm? Abidal is an amazing LB; there is no need for another. Nobody and I mean NOBODY has Abidal's pace on the left AND can deliver delicate low crosses in the box a la Thierry Henry, and we are talking about a LB! Be prepared to see Abidal-Milito-Marquez-Alves, Keita-Busquets-Xavi, Pedro-Bojan-Messi on Tuesday. If this article wanted any merit, it could have instead addressed how Thierry Henry would be a huge mistake to play in the second leg, or it could compare the number of penalty kicks awarded to EE (Real Madrid) to those awarded to Barca. Now those would be interesting articles sparking intelligent debate and not criticism for ignorance.
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Posted by Ali on 04/06/2010
With IBRA out Messi will get a chance to play more central, and he seems to shine and score more in such cases.
I like both these teams, Arsenal is my team in England. Having said that, I think it will be extremely unfair and very unlikely that they should beat Barcelona. My prediction is 3-0.
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Posted by luke on 04/06/2010
barca should not play marquez any time he inside the game the game goes to be easy for the opponent of barca and who ever say that a lie they ia a ass hold lol lmao!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by luke on 04/06/2010
this gan be a good game if barca play the hold game like how they played the first half of the other game and they is defenatly gan win!!!
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Posted by onaolamipo on 04/06/2010
yes,i believe without IBRA,PIQUE &our marvelous captain PUYOL,Barca wil stil win Asernal by 3 zero
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Posted by Andrew on 04/06/2010
I read that Chygrinsky is struggling because he only played a man-marking system prior to joining barca and has been slow to pick up zonal duties. In time, he should be fine
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Posted by chidi on 04/06/2010
Am surprised you have so brazenly written off Arsenal.This is like a cup tie mind you
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Posted by dag on 04/06/2010
we will see about who wins.i don't think barca is gonna be the barca that played the first half and as wenger said he is gonna exploit the weakness of barca.even when puyol and pique were playing in the 2nd leg arsenal would have some chances coz if u see in the second half of the first leg when arsenal attack they were valnerable so we just gonna see who wins.and barcelona some times have their bad days so football is unpredictable.and let be the best night and the best team wins.
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Posted by pane on 04/06/2010
THE GUNNERS ALL THE WAY PEOPLE KEEP DREAMING 'BARCA WILL WIN' BUT I GUARANTEE U IT IS GONNA BE A HISTORY MAKER NIGHT.IN ARSENE WE TRUST
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Posted by Alfred Ofori Gyamfi on 04/06/2010
Barca is the most fantastic team i have ever supported on this planet. They play absolutely good. I think the Coach should not fix Marquez and Theo Henry if only he wants to win. I thin messi will deliver his best at camp Nou. all the best Coach. Ghana loves barca too much. God help them through. Heaven helps those who help themselves.!!
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Posted by chum on 04/06/2010
oooo... such arrogance from the writer...we'll know barca is a good team, one of the best performers last season. This season they have been doing pretty great. However, the season is far from over. Barca are tied with Real Madrid for the la liga. Barca haven't won anything yet. And so the champion's league stage, you still have Arsenal to beat. The 2nd leg is not over yet.
Stop blabbering about last week's game and be wary of the threat that poses at Nou Camp from the Gunners... An ant might be small and tiny. But when it bites it hurts real BAD.
So, Why dont ya just watch the game tomorrow? I know who's winning the match...
go gunners go! Dear gunners, 2-0 will be good enough. Arsenal 2- barcelona 0
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Posted by Aiah Ernest Sam on 04/06/2010
It's quite amasing for fans of barca to completely write-off arsenal's chances of progressing beyong the last 16 stage. What a disprespect to a team that has by far proved its doubters wrong! And to be honest there is never a 100% chance of any team winning a football match days or hours before the game is played so we do expect some bit of respect from fans of the almighty barca team. Remember rubin garzan in the first leg....and what were your mighy stars capable of doing against the liliputian arsenal side in the first leg with ur 2-0 lead...so be warned! Pride goeth before a fall!
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Posted by Wendell X on 04/06/2010
Sure Barca dominated possession and created endless amounts of chances but nobody could contain Nasri and Theo will wreak havoc on Barca's defense from the kickoff of this game instead of only the 70th min. Should be fun to watch again.
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Posted by emmanuel on 04/06/2010
asenal are good but barca are far better, barca will surely come out victorious at the end of the day....
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Posted by macca on 04/06/2010
sure walcott did well when he came on but i fear if he starts he will not have the same effect, especially against a pacier abidal. clichy was fantastic on attack in 1st leg, shame we can't play song at cb cos there's no way sol will keep up with messi. think rosicky could be key for gunners
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Posted by Proko on 04/06/2010
I am not terribly concerned about the defensive problems. As weak as Rafa Marquez has been this season, Milito and Valdes have been superb, and Abidal's return game against Bilbao was extremely promising. I have far higher faith in Marquez than I do in Sol Campbell. Jnelson had the lineup about right, Abidal and Alves both back on the wings makes the Barca defense so much stronger, and Rosicky and Nasri won't be able to work as effectively down the wings with our fullbacks at their most capable.
The striker situation will be interesting, but I think if Iniesta is rested it's more likely he'll show up on the attack than Bojan. Pep just doesn't have confidence in Bojan for the big games, and it will be Xavi, Keita, and Busquets in the midfield. Messi and Pedro should be accepted as starting strikers, which leaves Bojan, Iniesta, and Henry in competition for that third place.
The D will be fine. I have full confidence in Milito, Abidal, Alves, and especially Valdes.
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Posted by Arsenalizking on 04/06/2010
ok barca fans..... most of you forget that not only is football random but, you are facing arsenal..... with or without our best players, the team is run and inspired by a coach whose experience dwarfs barcas. he has been there done that. he has won many a time without key player, for instance last season we beat united at home while missing most of our players. this season without a top goalscorer we have mounted a steady title challange( remember we have lost twice to both chelsea and united). playing with our best players out is what we have done for about 5 years now and are still concidered one of the best teams in the world. most teams all want our players, you think if we chose to sell rvp barca wouldt be cruying to have him? arsenal will mount a challange without arshavin, without cesc, without rvp, without song, and with sole. may the best team win on tuesday....
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Posted by binho on 04/06/2010
chygy is useless? this discredits your entire blog. are we to believe that you have more footballing sense than pep and a host of other coaches. are we to believe that because one does not show the same qualities as a player brought up at la masia is useless. it's called transition from playing in ukraine to playing for arguably the best team ever to step on a pitch. you are a disgrace to journalism. learn your football before making such bold and useless comments
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Posted by Aman on 04/06/2010
Has anyone noticed that Barca only has 2 losses this whole season, 1 in the CL and 1 in La liga? I was chirping one of my Arsenal supporting friends. I told him there is no way Arsenal can beat Barca at the Nou Camp. He told me I said the same thing when Arsenal went to the San Siro and I was wrong. I think its a 50 50 game, but all and all I just wanna see a good football match :)
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Posted by jacques on 04/06/2010
No one is talking about Abidal and Iniesta being added to the mix for Barca tomorrow. Abidal has a lot more speed than Maxwell and Iniesta, well, we all know about him. Ibra being out may be a blessing in disguise because the tempo of the team piacks up without him. This will be a blowout. 4-1 Barcelona.
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Posted by neo on 04/06/2010
I do hope iniesta will be fit to play.
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Posted by mael on 04/06/2010
i thing arsenal can win......................
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Posted by Roul on 04/06/2010
Barcelona is captain-less too. It's a fair game for both sides tonight and i think nobody will says Arsenal is lucky to beat Barcelona should it happen at Nou Camp. Both teams are struggling with injuries to key players, suspension and neither Puyol nor Fabregas will play. Luck is a part of football but hopefully it will be an open game for both teams.
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Posted by barcelona_guy on 04/06/2010
Barcelona is gonna be a rule match ! i know much about them, because im live near from them place, so tonight is gonna be a interest matach ! i know you're the champion of the world my team ! show ur best!!
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Posted by sk on 04/06/2010
yes barca is hot favourite to win..but mind all of u..its like a cup game..one of game..any of these 2 team can win it..gunners can beat any team in the world including barca..we did demolish inter 5-0 few years back..n recently 5-0 against porto without our super captain fabregas...we have player who can step in n make the difference..only thing..all these players need to be not only physically strong but most importantly MENTALLY..come on gunners..lets rock n roll..demolish barca!!
~~~GUNNERS FOREVER..IN ARSENE WE TRUST~~~
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Posted by Ryan on 04/06/2010
Everyone can say this, everyone can say that, truth to the fact, the ball is round. Anything can happen in 2nd Leg.
My prediction Barcelona 0 Arsenal 1
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Posted by De lugiano on 04/06/2010
Neva mind no mata wat hapenz Barca is headin 4 final,Gunnas aint 100% gud plyin away gamez & should nt start it in nou camp. Pep G. should 4get about plyin Henry bcos of his psychological state! & wac out 4 Theo 2avoid error repitn Itz Barca:5-Gunners:0 perfect! humilatn.. Viscal el barca frm lugiano/Nigeria
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Posted by KaE on 04/06/2010
impotent.........if arsenal won tonight i have to make sure this write will become impotent too.......show to barca wat you got gunners........
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Posted by La Posee on 04/06/2010
Thierry Henry is the greatest striker to ever play football so even wen out of form,he still has the qualities to perform.4get bout his psychological state,dat gut is professional. just sit back nd watch Henry disgrace his old team
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Posted by fred izilein on 04/06/2010
i have a strong feeling that arsenal is going to win this one.this is a game that has goals in it,and most of them are going to be arsenal's.
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Posted by 'Ebk Federico on 04/06/2010
@ Arsenalizking "the team is run and inspired by a coach whose experience dwarfs barcas." if tha xperience of your coach can dwarf that of barca why havent you won the CL or the EPL in recent years?? evry team have their own injury prob its all down to how tha team pick their sef up.. Whosoever wrote this blog shuld be ashame of his/herself I wonder what will make you call someone in a team of over 20 useless considering tha fact that he is new to the team and environment.. if he is useless he wont be part of the team that won Europa League last season you so need to watch your lines before you come out disgracing yoursef... as for the game its gonna be an interesting one to watch.. still a 50-50 game but Barca have got the upper hand with tha away goal and if they can repeat the kinda performance they had in tha first 45mins in Emirate then its Game Over
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Posted by RenWoXing on 04/06/2010
You were wrong on all points:
"Dani Alves' self-imposed suspension with a yellow card against Mallorca seemed clever at the time to the Brazilian, but means that Rafa Marquez will be played on the right instead of getting ready for a Champions League start in the centre. Chygrinsky is useless, and in any case ineligible to play in European competition. Eric Abidal is only just back from injury."
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Posted by bel on 04/06/2010
Well anyway, I really hate arrogance and all the 3-0 4-0 and 2-0 predictions, even if you say 4-0 for Arsenal or for Barca, I still hate wayward and baseless predictions like that. Even in the Invincibles era I had never said to anyone that Arsenal will win 4-0 against anyone, or even a 6-goal bashing in the first match of the season.
Also, Aman has a point, last time Arsenal went to San Siro and I couldn't watch the match (busy), the next day I found myself surprised by my lack of faith when the team won 2-0. All I want to see today is beautiful football and I will really congratulate the best team that played.
On a side note, please everyone do not generalize every Arsenal fan as a part of the IN ARSENE WE TRUST brigade's subgroup, the IN ARSENE WE TRUST SO MUCH WE ACT COCKY IN EVERY OTHER CLUBS' PAGES.
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Posted by mimmsy on 04/06/2010
I agree with Binho, you clearly are a shocking journo with no clue, how can you say that about a player whos just moved from a much inferior league. Also your biassed opinion is such a load of tosh. I couldnt agree more that barca are favs, they would be against pretty much anyone in th world! But this is the champs lge Q finals and Arsenal are a fantastic team when they gel and could always knick a goal or two with or without certain players. When we play our game barca would have to be at their very best to beat us, i admit we have tended to shy away in big games this season but for once we are the underdogs so hopefully the players will use that tag and ruffle a few feathers. Now if Arsenal do sneak it not only will i be celebrating our victory but also the thought of the writer of this piece relising he is infact rubbish at jouralism, unpatriotic and clearly lackin a few inches ;) ARE YOU TOTTENHAM IN DISCGUISE!!!!!
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Posted by Raffian47 on 04/06/2010
I support Barca to win but Arsenal has as much a chance of progressing too. But in order for them to do that they must dominate possession @ the Camp Nou-a task that would prove difficult.Barca's "weaken" defense could be a problem but their defense does not win them matches--their superior mid-field and attacking force does-people are talking about stopping Walcott--What about Arsenal stopping Messi?
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Posted by EBENEZER OMEJALILE M. on 04/06/2010
I AM TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED AT THE WAY COMPARISM BETWEEN A GREAT BARCA SIDE AND EVERLY ARTIFICIAL AND UNCAPABLE ARSENAL, THE DIFFERENCE IS VERY CLEAR, ARSENAL GOING TO CAMP NUO TO WIN IS ALREADY SUICIDAL JOURNEY TO EMBARK ON. BARCA IS EVERLY CLASSICAL OVER ARSENAL, AS FOR MADRID IT IS A MUST THEY WILL SUFFER AT THE BERNEBAU
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Posted by aadam saban on 04/06/2010
why does everybody say man united are the lukiest team in the epl and dont deserve to win it? but if you look a few months ago the only recognisable defender we had was evra and everybody else were injured. but looking at chelsea they never had more than 1 unrecognisable defender at the back for the whole season and yet they brag how they deserve to win the epl.
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Posted by richie on 04/06/2010
the referee didnt had no write 2 give puyol a red card because fabregas thdat kick him un he fall
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Posted by Mark on 04/06/2010
What's all this talk of Philip Lahm ?
Patrice Evra (Manchester) is much better. I think he is the best left back in the world behind Maicon of Inter.
Lahm is old news.
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Posted by Camp Nou on 04/06/2010
Duncan Bishop doesn't have a clue says the Cule!
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Posted by MarcT on 04/06/2010
Ahm,Maicon is a right back, not left back Mark, thanx. I'l let u say Maicon is the best wing back.
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Posted by Lenny on 04/07/2010
Couldn't help but laugh at all the false hope i read on here. Honestly you people thought Arsenal were gonna walk away winners? In the Nou Camp? Without Fabregas? You truly are naive. Messi everyday seems to be over looked by Brits. Focusing soley on the Premier league, giving Rooney the crown as the best just based on numbers, Messi dismantles teams like Arsenal, a top flight team, and he still scored 4 goals. I am not saying they win the whole champions league, but, this was an obvious result. the semi finals however.....such competition this year. Champions league, then we luck out with the world cup? 2010 lookin good.
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Posted by buchi on 04/07/2010
GOD BLESS. BARCA FOR WIN OVER YOUNG GUNNERS
UP MASSI
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Posted by De_ lugiano on 04/07/2010
I told ya'all dt footbal in camp nou is aint 4 kidz lik d gunaz who has gone "HUMILATED" & Henry should nt b plyd bcoz of his psyc state nw wit or witout Puyol & Pk barca is headin 4 final...more also 4 Real madrid all barceloniaz world wide should prepare 4 glory!!! Viscal el barca! More dan a club...(Barcelona is a culture! Ther4 if u hate em go kill ur self coz we aint gonna stop winnin' ) one luv 2 all barca fanz frm lugiano aka olimpian/Nigeria
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Posted by neo on 04/11/2010
yea talk of philip lahm is going on alot here because maybe what Barca need to consider, is strengthening the left side of the defense/attack. Lahm seems to be the ideal signing because he does possess both the attacking and defensive qualities which I believe will give Barca a complete defence and an added boost in attack. I don't want to play down milito or abidal but we might want to consider that there is room for improvement and improvement may only come by bringing in another player...evra is a good one also mentioned by mark above but he's another story in respect of Man utd ever intend on selling him etc etc...what do u guys think?
Posted by dw on 04/11/2010
Posted by weezy embiem on 04/21/2010
i dont that if BARCELONA will win the tittle (champions league) at this season.
Posted by Ashraf Adam on 04/26/2010
i dont need anything form barca i just want to barca wining intermilan by 4-0 on wensday think you and go barca
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About
Hola! I am Francesc Tomas. Barcelona is my passion and home-town team. I consider myself lucky to have regularly attended matches at the Camp Nou since the early 1980s. My cousin played for the Barça youth academy, sharing the team with Don Andres Iniesta, which gave me a clear inside view of how our club works behind the scenes. I am also the founder, editor and columnist at Barcablog.com.
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