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After going down to Internazionale on Tuesday night in the Champions League first leg, Barcelona are faced with a new situation under Pep Guardiola.
Lionel Messi is surrounded by defenders
©Getty Images
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Amazingly, 3-1 is the biggest defeat of the Catalan coach's time at the helm of the azulgrana ship, and it is a less than ideal turn of events for a side running out of steam as tired legs take their toll. A bruising draw with Espanyol has quickly recompacted the league table, and the onus is on Barça to chase the game in the second leg against Jose Mourinho's men.
Barcelona took the bus to Italy in a volcano-enforced road trip, but Inter have the luxury of being able to park it at Camp Nou. A much more adventurous attacking side appeared at home to take advantage of Barça's lethargy, although Mourinho's tactics had an element of defence about them. Alves and Maxwell were -apart from in the build up to the opening goal- shut down by the trident strikeforce, and Zanetti did an inspired job of man-marking Messi. Inter may attempt another frantic opening 20 minutes of trying to grab an away goal, and then sit back and soak up the pressure.
Two tactics that I wouldn't repeat would be the use of Maxwell as a midfielder and Piqué as a striker. Both proved to be fish out of water when moved around on Tuesday.
The league hangs in the balance and, whatever the result at home, Madrid will be the fresher of the two sides heading into Jornada 35. Now is the time for character to shine through.
Comments
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Posted by ezfulus on 04/22/2010
lol the title is a smart one..great use of the bus issue
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Posted by Mike on 04/22/2010
What exactly is unconventional about throwing forward your center-backs when behind near the end of a game? They can win balls in the air and generally cause problems.
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Posted by arthurkgb on 04/22/2010
If packing the bus is JM game plan, inter will lose heavily and end up crashing out of the tournament. FCB is going to throw every thing at them at the camp Nou and the only way to keep them at bay is to keep attacking. That way you will ensure that the FBs don't join the attack.
Remember all FCB needs to do is to score 2 goals without conceding and game over and they can definitely score 2 goals at Camp Nou without a question.
If Inter waits till Barca scores 2 goals before attacking they will be schredded as they will leave open spaces behind for barca to exploit.
All said and done, I still believe Barca will qualify for the finals. For some reason this bunch of players believe they can do anything once they put their mind to it and they always play well at Camp Nou. They are going to come out smoking knowing that all they need is 2 goals and will get the goals in the first half. Inter will not stand a chance if they pack the bus. And BTW I pity Jerez this coming saturday
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Posted by Smokie on 04/22/2010
Just wish that as i am writing this Pep Guardiola gets to read it,i am a strong FCB fan,he should try and always read games and make the necessary changes as in when necessary.Ibrahimvic is not an ambitous striker so he should not be played in our next game.i know he has scored upto 15 or more gaols this season but it through the effort of others..he should be more creative/ambisioue and gaols hungary..
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Posted by Abdullahi Hussaini on 04/22/2010
FCB will win this tie only if Guardiola puts away the catalan sydrome and use his best players in each of the available position. I cant see Yaya sitting on the bench for Bosquet. This is absurd.Inter are physical minded and you need a player that apart from his physical nature can also do a xavi. Yaya can do this even if not as magnificient as Xavi will do it, it still would have help in creating chances for the forwarders when inter are busy trying to stiffled out Xavi.
Inter are slow when it comes to covering up so the game in camp nou has to be fast paced so FCB dont require a Zlatan because he slow down their pace
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Posted by Samson on 04/22/2010
Its amazing to see that you all are baca faithfuls.Well there is nothing wrong with that.But i have news for you,you know what it is?This is over for baca.Mourinho wont come to Camp nou to defend at 1st.He will come get a goal and sit back.You remember how it was with chelsea last season?Inter will defend with everything they've got.Trust the "special one"he will defend with his last blood and baca will be out.Thank you
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Posted by Joe Jacques on 04/22/2010
Barceloan have come back from similar situations in European play numerous times. The pressure is actually on Inter who have not played in a Champions League match of this magnitude in over 45 years. One goal and you will see them mentally start to pucker. Yaya Toure and Abidal have to start. Busquets and Maxwell out. The entire team should have more energy after being at home for a week straight instead of on a bus for 2 days straight. Maybe even Bojan for Ibra so as to take advantage of Inter's slow center backs. I believe it is still a 50/50 proposition.
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Posted by Sian on 04/22/2010
That is so true .... I think Inter should definitely should attack for the first 45 minutes and they can park their bus. That will definitely work considering Barca must score 4 goals to go through. We definitely know Inter will score if Barca score 1.
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Posted by ant on 04/22/2010
Pep has a terrible sense of on-field tactics and needs to better use his substitutes. He failed to sub appropriately in the first arsenal game and he failed to do so againts IM when his players looked, clearly, sluggish and could have used some speed in the form of Bojan or Henry towards the end. Secondly, Ibra has proved a poor fit for Barca's fluid play. He rarely keeps the ball moving and simply doesn't seem hungry enough. He's got brilliant skills, but the chemistry is all wrong and team play poorly when he's on the field. I think it's time to drop him and continue developing the barca youth players.
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Posted by Alfred Fullah on 04/22/2010
Pep squad will definately make it through to the final as they will crash morinho men by 2 goals to nill in the camp nou as they are very strong at home.....
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Posted by rawr on 04/22/2010
Is Ibra a poor fit? May be, may be not. I think his main contribution to Barca is to introduce another attacking dimension. He gives Pep more tactical options. Now the problem is, if Pep plays Ibra, the game plan has to adjust accordingly. You just cannot expect Ibra to play like Eto'o. But if the tactics are right, Ibra can be an asset.
Now back to Inter game, it wa evident that Ibra was not a good choice forward. He is the type of striker that Lucio and Samuel can contain. The fact that Samuel practiced with Ibra for years made it even worse. The Inter defensive pair were big and slow, so playing Messi as striker should be a better choice. Ibra forced Messi wide, and he got dominated by Zanetti and Cambiasso/Motta.
The biggest problem lies in the fullbacks though. All Inter goals started from the flanks. Pique didn't do much better. Letting Sneijder get a free header is absolutely unacceptable.
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Posted by NAKEVU ERIC on 04/22/2010
With all the hypes in this game, i hope the best side in the semi's win the tie. I still envisage a situation where BARCA go through. It is hard to beleive though but i beleive the catalan side will not let their fans down. BARCA will throw everything at INTER. I just hope the best side qualifies for the final in MADRID.
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Posted by tyke on 04/22/2010
pep squad will go thru. Ibra out, he is 2 slow.Henry or Bojan in 2 speed up the game. Inter can't park the bus as yet, they must seek that 1 goal before they do so and that will leave them wide open. Messi Xavi, Yaya and crew will at least score 3 if not 4 goals. Trust me, Messi will not be shut down like that again. Inter,did and have played well and must not get complacent. I'm a true Barca fan, so I'm looking for them to fall apart after Barca score their 1st goal to put more pressure on Inter...
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Posted by MOSES DAMOLA on 04/22/2010
I think i agree with u.Ibra and sergio should not start the second leg.If Iniesta can recover from his slight injury.He should be used with Henry at the left wing and xavi shuold be used with messi at the right wing and Yaya Toure should play DM role. I pray barca qualifies and put jose,his squad and inter fans to shame becuase i believe we are obviously better than them in every area as we did to them in the group stage.Nou camp is ours we have always pulled any team like inter feel who always feel they are tall to the ground.peace to al ya barca fans around the world we will surely come tru exing men.
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Posted by Stephen on 04/22/2010
Another time, another season... but this one is done. It's not that 3-1 is too large a deficit, it's that Maurinho just gave a masterclass in managing. It is very hard to not credit the men on the pitch, but this was a case where Jose may very well have beaten Barca even with lesser players, his tactics were that sound... give him his cash next year (Aston Villa(??)) and Man United in two to three... he truly is the special one...
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Posted by Kevin T on 04/22/2010
I watched the Inter-Barca game. Honestly, I did not see Inter do anything worth mentioning. I rather think the Barca defense just lapsed absurdly. Why Sjneider was left that much unmarked for the first goal I cannot understand. That being said and done, I still see Barca going through at the Nou Camp. Not simply because I am a Barca fan, but because I have seen them play at the Nou camp.... and I saw the best Inter had to offer this Tuesday. No match.
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Posted by asd on 04/22/2010
just look at the way moses damola talks. just because he think his barca is OBVIOUSLY better, so no team should beat his god d*** barca. when a lesser team wins against his oh-so-great barca, that team, the manager and the fans must be put to shame.
Seriously, F*** You.
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Posted by anthonyxv on 04/22/2010
for all that's said, all advantage is on Inter. If there's a team that is engineered to hold on to such a lead is Inter. This Barca, perhaps the best team in modern era (if not in history), have not yet had to deal with such a deficit (with so much at stake). Should they make it to the final, it will be a testament to the character, talent and commitment to each other as a team. Unlike many, I'll be pleasantly surprised to see Barca make it. I miss Iniesta!
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Posted by Aaron nonso on 04/22/2010
Barca can still progres in camp nou if pep&players correct thier mistake at first leg, By not playing ibra & busq.
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Posted by Aaron nonso on 04/22/2010
Barca can still progres in camp nou if pep&players correct thier mistake at first leg, By not playing ibra & busq. Barca4life
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Posted by jeremy on 04/23/2010
barca have no one to blame but themselves. the movement was lackadaisical and uninspired. I'm not too worried, because 2-0 at Camp nou has already happened against Inter, and if we get early goals, there is every chance of a route. But we have to move more, Inter are zonal marking so the passes have to be precise. Also, we should not play such a high line as Inter's main objective, I feel, will be seeming to park the bus to spring a counter on us. an away goal will be fatal.
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Posted by Anonymous on 04/23/2010
Dont under estimate jose Mourinho. He knows how Barca plays, and will probably have the the inter captain man mark messi. He also isnt going to the Camp nou to defend he will definetly attack like he did at stamford bridge. no suprise he will secure the away goal then he will do what knows best...Defend! To bad barca fans, Game OVER
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Posted by rawr on 04/23/2010
Actually if Zanetti man-marks Messi, Barca will easily win it. There is no chance a 36 yr old can constantly mark Messi out by himself.
Taking Xavi AND Messi out of the game takes tremendous team effort. The whole Inter back four plus Cambiasso/Motta were constantly on their heels. Even Pandev and Eto'o(!) kept tracking back to help out. It was the whole Inter team outperforming and outrunning Barca. Milito's cramp tells a lot.
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Posted by Bakes on 04/23/2010
Who says barca all the way. We are going to win this tie not cause inter are weak but because we are the better team and we took inters best punches in the first leg. We are going to beat inter by three goals to nil! By the way i hate jose.
BARCA BARCA BARCA all the way
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Posted by Alex on 04/23/2010
3 part game plan for Inter:
1.)Shackle Messi, Zanetti/Motta/Cambiasso proved they can.
2.)Play through Snjieder as much as possible. Getting the ball in to him forces Xavi/Busquets deeper than they'd like to be to control him.
3.)When Alves and Maxwell start bombing down the wing, hit that space in behind them HARD with Maicon/Pandev/Milito. As soon as you win the ball one of them needs to peel off down the flank.
And to all of you who say Barca will score 2 easily, if any team in Europe is designed not to concede goals at the Nou Camp, it's Inter.
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Posted by onas on 04/23/2010
I have never seen the special one lose out, after having an advantage. 2003/2004 1/4 finals Porto 2-Man U 1, at Old trafford Man U 1- Porto 1. 2004/2005 1/4 finals Chelsea 4- B. munich 2, in Munich B. Munich 3- Chelsea 2. And most recently 1/16 Inter 2- Chelsea 1, at stamford bridge Chelsea 0 - Inter 1. I don't see Jose losing this advantage of 3-1. End of the road for barca.
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Posted by AjanleKoko on 04/23/2010
In my opinion, Barca should take it easy and play their game at the Camp Nou.
I don't care if they go to the final or not; they need to conserve their energy for La Liga, with the Madridistas snapping up their heels. They have a tough game away to Villareal after the Inter tie. The humiliation of Madrid and CR9 will mean nothing if Madrid eventually sneak away with the title. Screw the CL in my opinion. We'll get it back next year, like Madrid did in '02, when they lost it in '01. Bayern and Valencia played that final, and it was the most boring CL final I ever saw.
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Posted by Fadem on 04/23/2010
Well after all has been said and done, l still strongly believe that this aint finished business yet because one thing for real, Jose is not going to Nou Camp to defend the advantage but rather to increase it. Ask Chelsea about this and they will confirm. l respect Barca none the less but l cant resist Jose.
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Posted by carlos000058 on 04/23/2010
eric do you not think inter will throw everything they got at barca aswell? inter is not going to play the sitting duck in this pivotal tie. to be honest barca fans are just being wishful when they think that inter will sit back and let barca win. fact is as long as inter is aware of what it will mean to win next week they will not give barca what they want.
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Posted by CDRUSS on 04/23/2010
Mourinho pumps up players more than anything - more credit should be given to the Inter forwards who ran themeselves into the ground. Playing at the Nou Camp is a lot different - and it'll be difficult for Barca to play worse than they did on Tuesday. I predict Barca, 4-1.
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Posted by mariakani kenya east africa on 04/23/2010
the same format during the return leg with arsenal will do the trick.no ibrahimovich.he could be better defender in the absence of puyol in the future,get him trained for the defence.i wish you bite mourinho.good luck though i am a madrid fan but a spain football fanatic.la liga.
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Posted by elias on 04/23/2010
barca is my team and i believe we gonna beat the hell out of inter when they step in messi field.barca is a team that can score anytime anywhere and everyone is a man-marking mostly leonel messi.inter stop messi but this one at camp nou is going to be hard cuz messi will confuse them while pedro and others are striking
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Posted by elias on 04/23/2010
barca is my team and i believe we gonna beat the hell out of inter when they step in messi field.barca is a team that can score anytime anywhere and everyone is a man-marking mostly leonel messi.inter stop messi but this one at camp nou is going to be hard cuz messi will confuse them while pedro and others are striking
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Posted by elias on 04/23/2010
barca is my team and i believe we gonna beat the hell out of inter when they step in messi field.barca is a team that can score anytime anywhere and everyone is a man-marking mostly leonel messi.inter stop messi but this one at camp nou is going to be hard cuz messi will confuse them while pedro and others are striking
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Posted by anonymous on 04/23/2010
Please realize Inter is not Arsenal (defence wise). These are different teams than the last time they met. With that said Barca can get 2 goals but what if Inter realize there is no Puyol and attack as well creating goala?
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Posted by aaron on 04/23/2010
That's for sure Mourinho will not sit back to defend its advantage. He will concentrate how to produce more goals and shut down Barcelona fire power. I predict Inter win this match by 2-0. Barcelona exit!
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Posted by Joedepow on 04/23/2010
Barça vs. Inter venue Camp nou
My Squad:
Victor,
Dani Alves, Marquez, Pique, Abidal
Xavi, Yaya Toure, Iniesta
Messi, Pedro, Henry or Messi, Bojan, Pedro
With this squad attacking there's no way Mourinho will be tactical. we'll definitely play to win!
Barça 4 life!!!
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Posted by mombasa kenya on 04/23/2010
pep. please show us what barca really is made up of.i know and believe the travel by road was real tough,it showed.but still the physical and too tough tackling without protection from the refree led to easy go play.barca is still the best footballing team ever.no doubt.world champs as well.we do have very high hopes.we pray for barca win over inter.goodluck.
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Posted by Paulinus Ekarika on 04/23/2010
Wow, i have already predicted 3:0 against inter, sorry i love jm though, but withuot doubt barca will beat inter, wonderful messi will surely do another magic. barca forever. i see them retaining this trophy even more ahead to win 3 consecutive times by next year. all barca
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Posted by kwame bonti on 04/23/2010
all those who think that inter has made it to the final should calm down because Barca has not given it out yet, Inter should just beg Barca not to score more than three goals with no reply because the moment Inter score one goal, Barca is likely to score six goals. God richly bless Barca FC and fans.
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Posted by berry on 04/23/2010
the only thing i can whatever inter defend from 11 players in their box barcelona in camp nou their will score 2 goals even more than 2 in wide camp nou pitch n barcelona their will come out with powefull atack n dont care if inter score or not but in 25 minutes first half u will see what barca did i gurentee cuz u will c deferent barcelona in camp nou,if barca score even one goal first inter they will go crazy that time barca their going to punish inter,behind of 100,000 fans,dont say barcelona cant score 2 goals in camp nou barca for sure goin in madrid 22 may.
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Posted by fernandiho on 04/23/2010
dude... wtf...barca is guna ATTACK the whole 90 min plus 3 exrta min... theyre guna RAPE inter and deport inter bk to italy......
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Posted by tobin on 04/23/2010
if iniesta is back then barca is surely going to win,remember the last champions league semfinal against chelsea
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Posted by tobin on 04/23/2010
if iniesta is back then barca is surely going to win,remember the last champions league semfinal against chelsea
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Posted by Anonymous on 04/23/2010
I have never heard such delusions before about Barcelona. Barcelona are a good team, sure, but Inter has the ascendancy on this one right now. It is too clear that Inter will go through. You all say that Barca wont let you down, but they already have. Inter will win the CL - Sorry (BTW - I am not a fan of either team just a lot smarter than most of you Barca fans)...
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Posted by fab62 on 04/23/2010
I've got news for all the Barca fan: Bye Bye...
Inter will go to the Camp Nou and will storm in right away attacking the poor Barca defense.
Milito, Eto'o, Pandev and Snejider will put a lot of pressure to the Barca defenders (and we all know Barca defenders are not the strongest)will try to score and then play the counter attack game.
The 3 Inter strickers are way too fast for the Barca defenders, Milito especially is a rocket!!!
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Posted by Anonymous on 04/23/2010
Barca fans on this blog are kind of out of touch with reality.
Iniesta is not going to play, Puyol is not going to play so Guardiola can sub Puyol with Gabriel Milito and put him against his brother (i really doubt that but you never know)at that point we'll see who's the better one (Diego is definitely faster then Gabriel) or put Marquez on, who's very slow so not many choices.
In the midfield he tried Busquets in Milano but it didn't work so he can go with Yaya Toure.
The point is you all think Inter will go to Barcelona and defend and you all are mistaking it because Inter will attack and cover every space...
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Posted by AFOLABI JAMES OLUSOJI on 04/23/2010
NO RETREAT NO SURRENDER, I PERSONALLY IS WAITHING FOR JM TO COME AND LEARN HIS LESSON, BETTER TEAM LOSS IN SANSIRO
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Posted by bryan on 04/23/2010
I am an avid Barca fan, but to be honest, I have to admit that JM did a great job with his tactical knowledge. I have to admit Guardiola screwed up with his tacts, for the first time in forever, but on the plus side, I think he was trying to conserve his best players for the return leg.
you may look at the game again and again, but what we notice is that the very few occasions Inter had they made good use of their possession. some may go into the decisions of the ref, but what is forgotten is that it was same for Inter aswell. lets not forget that Jose has not lost or drawn a single game in the knockout stages of this competition this year, both home and away. it hurts me to think this, but Barca may have met their match and which ever team wins this tie will definitely take the Cup. how many time have u seen Messi completely limited to two shots at goal in a game this season? like i said I'm an avid barca fan but lets be reasonable as Barca fans and not turn into ignorant folk.
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Posted by Ozzie on 04/23/2010
At last a sensible comment.
Look, I support Chelsea and look how well that went, so effectively I have no real desire for either team to win or lose (each team hurt me once this year and last year).
But as a supporter of football, I really thought that Inter were sublime against Barca. Most teams would crash and burn after a goal from Barcelona, but not this Inter. They just seemed stronger. I really think that as a team overall, Barca is better but tactically, there is no competition. Barca just looked dejected and usually you check the faces of the team who will win and time it was Inter, they looked determined from start to end. The goal just made them try harder..
Sorry Barca supporters, this looks inevitable..
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Posted by MASCOT on 04/23/2010
I LOVE YOU KWAME YOU REALLY UNDERSTAND THE TACTICS BARCA IS A SUPRISING TEAM THEY IF INTER SCORE'S 1 THEY GET 7 IN RETURN
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Posted by RALPH (PDP) on 04/24/2010
LOOK I DONT CARE WAT MOST INTER FANS ARE SAYING RIGHT NOW BUT I HAVE A NEWS 4U'ALL. IN CAMP NOU,WE WILL SET U GUYS ASS ON FIRE. I VE SO MUCH CONFIDENCE IN THE TERM, PEP, AND THE FANS.WE MUST WIN BY 3 GOALS TO NIL.U GUYS CAN ASK CHE,MANU,ARS,LYON,MUNIC,MAD & A LOT OTHERS HOW FAR.REMEMBER WE ARE BARCELONA,the CATALAN,SPAINISH,UEFA & WOLRD GAINTS.LETS HEAD TO MADRID 4 INTER IS A WORK OVER. BRACCCCCAAAAAAAAAA TIL I DIE.
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Posted by masanga paul on 04/24/2010
I m an arsenal fan and a lukewarm sympathiser for barca and mourinho. my conviction tells me that where we ve reached, the special1 is too astute enough for pepe's tactics, so i go for the s1 to nick it from pepe.Prediction, barca1-1 inter
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Posted by Utchayennah on 04/24/2010
I see Barca scoring 2 goals or more, but my fear is conceding - Puyol is out. Marquez is slow and wouldn't be able to stop Inter's Milito who is faster on counter. Barca's Milito is preferable although not articulate. Defence crew of Alves, Gerald, Milito & Eric should start. Midfield players - Xavi, Keita, Yaya & Busquets. Attackers - Pedro & Messi. Subs - Ibra, Henry, Bojan.
Again, Dani Alves should be detailed to be precise in his pull outs/crosses into the vital area. Inter will pack the defence and go on the counter. They should be closely watched on this.
Added advance for Barca will be to shoot from any where around the 18 yard box.
Inter will go down, I believe. Barca play the best football in the world today, We cannot afford to miss them in Madrid final - May 22, 2010.
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Posted by Man U on 04/24/2010
Lol. Barca fans. They just think they can set everyone on fire. Lol.
Against Man U last season, it wasn't so much Barca beating man u but it was more that Alex Ferguson giving Barca tooo much respect where he deployed Rooney more as a LWB then a striker...which means essentially only Ronaldo was the "most" attacking player.
Against Real at the Nou camp..they could only manage a 1-0 win and is Real as good tactically as Inter?? I doubt it. I mean come on, Inter's got Eto'o, Milito, Pandev, Maicon, Sneijder, Zanetti...and take out Messi from the Barca side...who can say they are better than those Inter's? is Alves better than Maicon? nope. Is Pedro or Henry or Ibra better than Milito and Eto'o? nope. Is Xavi better than Wesley? Don't think so.
So to that idiot who thinks Barca is gonna score 7....go back to mars coz clearly you don't understand football.
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Posted by bryan on 04/24/2010
once again, I say I am an avid Barca fan, but please, lets look at the stats before we make reckless comments. we risk walking with our tails in between our legs at the end of the game. a good point was raised and that was that fact that Puyol is out. from my knowledge on Puyol, he was trained a right back, but flourishes as a center back, this alone is a loss at both ends with him being out, barca did great without Alves in the final, because Puyol went back to his position of birth. a Puyol loss, means an alley for inter's speed attackers such as Eto and Pandev. this will surely cause a problem. I acknowledge and I'm positive that Barca can score more goals, but will this stop Inter from scoring? what some of us forget is that the more goals scored by both sides, the higher Barca's chances of being eliminated. by the way, do now ever match Xavi and Sneijder on the same plane, Xavi is 100times better. if you want proof look and the Fueja Roja. I wish the Barca succeeds.
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Posted by lol on 04/24/2010
100 times better? haha. Xavi is good...no doubt...but not 100 times better?? Hmmm...that sounds like the Barca fan in you talking there mate. Does that mean he's...10000 times better than Yaya toure? coz I'm pretty sure Sneijder is 100 times better than Yaya Toure.
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Posted by Man U on 04/24/2010
Hey man. I agree that Xavi is great but so is Sneijder...so it's kinda harsh to say he's 100 times worst than Xavi.
Xavi does the simple things well, he plays alot of short passes and he keeps possession really well and he's also very cool under pressure but how often do you see Xavi getting on the score sheet? Sneijder scored against Barca, set up goals against Chelsea and Barca and also scoring in the quarter finals.
So you can't say he's 100 times better than Sneijder. Don't be arrogant man.
But on to the game, I really can't say who will win. I mean there's always a change Barca can produce the goods and beat any team at the Nou Camp and if it was 6 months ago, I would say Barca to beat Inter this week. But THIS Inter is different. They have a different believe in them and they know trully believe they can go on a win the CL.
So I really cannot predict it but I do know one thing, it'll be a cracking match tho. Can't wait for it as a neutral.
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Posted by bryan on 04/24/2010
ok, so the statement about xavi being 100 times better was a bit harsh, but anyway. I have to agree with Man U. this week will be very hard and I still do not know what will happen, I am confident that Barca will win, but the margin is what I am worried about. anyway @lol, I said before I was an avid Barca fan, so Im sorry if the love for the club rubbed through, haha. but anyway, I am longing to see what happens, as I truly believe this year will be first in either way. This cud be Inter's first win in 50+ years, and this could also be a year for Barca taking the cup back to back ever since it was donned Champions league.
My greatest wish is that as Barca fans lets not turn into Chelsea fans who tend to be sore losers when they lose to great clubs, lol jk.
This Inter is very different from that of last year, they are actually very complete, the defense is very solid and the attacking force is refined. this will be an interesting mix of tactics indeed.
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Posted by ag on 04/25/2010
come on messi it will be improve for your carer and for your country you have to win inter more then 3 goals
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Posted by RALPH(PDP) on 04/25/2010
This week marks a new beginning in the history of football. lets 4get about the issue of Xavi and Sneijder who is better,but u really want to know then ask FIFA. I've been a barca fan 4 over 15yrs, and all this time, i ve no regret been their fan so therefore a win or lose makes no meaning.But who say we can define the full meaning of football to inter.I LOVE ETO'O so much but F**K mourinho(a proud man) and u inter fan. See all u BARCA fans in Madrid. BARCCAAAA TILL I DIE, believe it or not.
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Posted by mesqueunclub on 04/25/2010
First of all I'm a Cules.I think Jose is intelligent manager but so is Pep.Although Barca have a full of intelligent and talented players but Inter has more the experience.So what I'm trying to say is that Barca definitely can score a lot of goal and win the game with the players they have but Pep must manage the game well and not get carried away with their style of play.The first leg shows that Pep doesn't put into consideration of his players tiredness and it costs them the game.Inter can also win this second leg by counter-attacking and keeping the possession of the ball as they have the advantage.But if Barca start to dominate the game from the early minutes then Barca will go through as they have a younger squad unlike Inter who will start to feel the tiredness towards the end of the game.Hopefully it will be Barca who will go through to Bernabeu.Visca El Barca!
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Posted by greg on 04/25/2010
I hope Barca wins. Who wants to see a final Inter vs Lyon. But I htink it will be very tough. Inter exploited the space provided by the ever-attacking Alves to score 2 goles. If Pep doesn't do something about it Inter will score again. Also Busquets screwed up big time trying to keep the ball in mid-field. I agree that Toure and Keita should start Wednesday to provide physical presence in defence as well as ball control in mid-field where all will be decided. Fluidity is the key to Barca's possible victroy. Bojan and Messi can be lethal if their team-mates can provide fast and precise passes through Inter's aging defence.
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Posted by kengz on 04/26/2010
Don't have particularly strong feelings for/against either clubs, but I'd want Inter to edge this one. One cannot deny Barca's attacking strengths, but c'mon, give the other teams a break. Inter are in pole position, and even if they lost to Barca earlier this season, I can't see Mourinho losing to Pep again, especially with the CL final on the line. Imo, Barca will win this match but lose on aggregate.
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Posted by qamaly on 04/26/2010
Sorry guys, this is not a BARCA years. Messi will definetly have NO room TO room. Inter and JM will go to MADRID, a final showdown with Bayern Munich. And eventually the winner for 2010 Champions League! Jose Mourinho has the touch of MIDAS!
Yo Liverpool you don't need Rafa for next season BPL winner. It won't happen! JM will rescue and lifted the BPL CUP for the loooong wait.
GO INTER-MILAN GO, EXIT THE ASS OF BARCA........
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Posted by Akhil on 04/26/2010
First of all guys Iniesta is not available. Secondly Busquets has been doing a great job till now in the DMF position and he gives a creating option which is needed when you are behind in a tie, such as this one. So the only changes that will happen are, Milito in for Puyol, Abidal in for Maxwell, Yaya in for Keita and Bojan in for Messi. Ibra will come as a sub towards the end to give a different option and so will Keita. Visca el Barsa ...Mes Que un Club...Fuck you Jose you bitch
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Posted by RALPH on 04/26/2010
IF U DOWN WITH MOURINHO, FUCK U TOO.
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Posted by Anonymous on 04/26/2010
this leg is going to be a litmus test match for barca.they must give their 200% if they want to beat inter and reach the final.inter played verygood in the before leg but it is going to be hard to beat barca in their home for they can nearly impossible to beat them in camp nou.as a barca fan,i wish barca all the best and be carefull with jose mourinho & co.
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Posted by ralph on 04/26/2010
I mean ''fuck y'all puck ass mother fucker that thinks inter will eliminate the champions'' .FUCK ALL YOU. BARCA TILL I DIE
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Posted by franck on 04/26/2010
inter must be very careful...even they have a 2 goal cushion they hav conceded the vital away goal...barca just need to score 2 goals nd not concede any goals... with messi,ibra it is highly possible(barca hav scored 2 or more goals in their last 3 ucl home games)to make matters worse for inter sneijder is virtually ruled out...it will be a tough night for morinho & co.
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Posted by ousainou barrow on 04/26/2010
If bacerlona should score in the first 10mins of the first half of the second leg and not conceiving a goal,i think they will be in a much better chance of having the second goal that they will be looking for to go through to the finals.i have the hope and confidence that barcer will make it to finals of the champions league.
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Posted by tracy on 04/26/2010
For once, i enjoyed the fact tht inter won barca in the 1st leg..........am so sure they will do it again on wed...Not an Inter fan though.......Man u 4 life... IS INTER 2 BARCA 1...BARCA N PEP, TASTE DEFEAT N SEE WHTS LIKE LOL.
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Posted by eric on 04/26/2010
eto'o will score three goals he is the best player in the world so fuck you all barca fans!!!!!!!!!!
éto'o will crucify Pep guardiola and lionel Messi bitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by eric on 04/26/2010
Suck my dick barca bitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by smbanaja on 04/26/2010
fuck jose murinho and his tactics.when inter gets to camp nou they'll know why barca! is the best team in the world with the best player in the world...
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Posted by Anonymous on 04/26/2010
Barcelona may win the second leg, but Inter will go through. Inter has the organization, athleticism and speed on the counter to deal close Barcelona down while creating a few chances. Barcelona had a lot of the possession in the first leg, but Xavi and Busquets couldn't put together enough through balls because they were building the attack from further back than they were used to.
This Barcelona team is not the same team that won last year, because Yaya has been benched, Iniesta has been injured and Ibrahimovic plays very differently than Eto. Besides that, Inter has improved over the course of this champions league campaign: they aren't the same team from december.Messi should create a lot more opportunities at Camp Nou with his dribbling ability, but I don't see Xavi or Ibrahimovic playing much better. Ibrahimovic is not fast enough to use on counter attacks or through balls and Inter knows how to defend him. Barcelona win will the match 2-1 or maybe 3-2 but lose the tie.
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Posted by Anonymous on 04/26/2010
Playing at home knowing that you have to win by 2 goals is different from playing knowing that you you simply have to win. It puts a lot more pressure on you because your margin of error is much smaller. Many people seem to assume that Barcelona will go through because they are capable of scoring 2 goals at home. But are they also capable of preventing Inter from scoring? We've already seen an Arsenal team without Fabregas and Arshavin score first at Camp Nou in a 2nd leg. Barcelona's defense has been more shaky this season in the champions league. Imagine if Inter manages to score first...Because of Barcelona's defensive lapses this year I think they need to score 3 goals. To me, the question is if whether Barcelona can beat Inter team 3-0 because if they only score 2, I think Inter will score before the end of the game.
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Posted by Anonymous on 04/26/2010
the warlord always faces war, i know barca wil face the war of inter and wil definately conquer 4real n 4sure,we need yaya,iniesta, n abidal.
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Posted by Illyrian14 on 04/26/2010
We all know there is no honor in loosing by playing beautiful football. Only Dutch are able to do that. However, they are recognized for their football. The difference between them and Barca is that Barca knows how win in style.
This time it's going to be Inter's turn to learn in e hard way because JM has got used to it by now, talk too and be a looser!
i i i Mes Que Un Club ! ! !
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Posted by majinho on 04/26/2010
Can people stop calling barca the Azulgrana, it isn't an italian team. They are referred to as the BlauGrana, proper catalonian. Thank you.
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Posted by Jacques on 04/26/2010
Barca dominated Inter earlier this year at the Camp Nou and won 2 - 0. It should have been a lot worse. Messi and Ibra did not play. Messi should play but Ibra should not this time around. Also Abidal and Toure need to play for Maxwell and Busquets. Barca will then win either 3 - 0 or 4 - 1.
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Posted by mahadi on 04/26/2010
I'm not a "homer" for either team but believe this should be a great game. I also believe that Inter have the advantage, given that JM knows how to manage. Barca will become eventually desperate to score if they don't score early, leaving them open to counter attack. Having said that, probably whichever team scores first goes through unless in remains scoreless late in the game.
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Posted by bryan on 04/26/2010
It's funny how everyone is being unusually passionate about this issue. I am a BARCA fan till I die, but for once lets admit to defeat before its too late. I know miracles have happened before, but in this case the miracle is the fact that both teams didnt meet at the finals. Pep is very tactful, but unfortunately he has never faced a team that had his talismanic ex-striker. I think he was having problems with knowing exactly how to take care of Eto. Secondly, Jose has been bitten once by Barca before, and trust me, hes not gonna let that happen again. Inter, I have to admit has really impressed me, I love Eto and it hurt me when he left Barca for a trade which sent Ibra the other way. For once I saw the real absence of Eto in the Barca team. Ibra ran the same distance as the goalie in the whole game, now thats poor for a striker of that stature. Messi was limited to two shots in the whole game.
Secondly, as soon as Inter score against Barca, Barca will be facing an uphill task.
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Posted by Chelsea4eva on 04/27/2010
Really? Are you Barcelona fans so truly daft. You sound so dim witted - honestly. I am looking forward to a great game of football, but find it hard to believe that Barca fans are so blind. I saw a team go down a goal to a strong Barca team and not care less - They didn't look down or anything, instead just went on and won the game in style. Stop trying to compare Inter to Arsenal in the Camp Nou, totally different teams and level. Sorry but looks like JM has created the new Galacticos - truly. This is a team that will likely dominate in Europe for a couple more years. It took then so many years to dominate in Italy and now are doing it in Europe. I really don't care who wins, or didn't care before I read these brainless remarks from Barca fans. Can't wait to come back here after the match and see the reaction.
Same as the newspaper front page in Spain after the loss to Inter said, "Robbed!" - Highly delusional and ridiculous!
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Posted by soccer god on 04/27/2010
chelsea4eva... a bit bitter arent you??
inter is a great team but they will have not and will not dominate europe now or ever.....
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Posted by soccer god on 04/27/2010
chelsea4eva... a bit bitter arent you??
inter is a great team but they will have not and will not dominate europe now or ever.....
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Posted by soccer god on 04/27/2010
chelsea4eva... a bit bitter arent you??
inter is a great team but they will have not and will not dominate europe now or ever.....
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Posted by inter on 04/27/2010
never had i seen Inter played like this ever before. very impressive indeed and didnt expect the come back against the strongest team in the world. gonna be an interesting game as i'm very curious to see how Mourinho will structure the team since Snjieder is out now. Let's win this Inter...you deserve it all even though i like barca more. my prediction 1-1
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Posted by alexy on 04/27/2010
like jose or hate him, there is no denying the fact that he is one the best thing that has happened to our generation in terms of coaching, and i must tell u, barca has a really hard game to play at camp nou.
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Posted by Anonymous on 04/27/2010
shnider is not playing he is injured,
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Posted by miamo on 04/27/2010
i just can't wait INTER trash-crash out pep & co. with the difference striker this season, barca can dream on being the DREAM TEAMS repeating their victory last season. They will be eliminated this semis and SPAIN la liga to REAL MAN REAL MADRID!!!
Don't underestimate ur rivals strength. It's time to be a LOSER BlauGrana..........................
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Posted by Adeshina on 04/28/2010
Definitely Inter is one up in this tie, however anything can happen this is football.Having said this I want 2 state clearly I strongly believe Inter will b on top again.My prediction 1-0 in favor of Inter!
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Posted by Olayinka Taiwo on 04/28/2010
Well, I strongly believe that with Almighty Allah, nothing is impossible...He's the only One all barca's fans are looking up to and I believe He'll surely help us overcome our opponent i.e Inter Milan amen... Up Barca, 4life!
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Posted by Auwal on 04/28/2010
Barca will win Inter 3-0 insha ALLAH. I wish em gud luck. Amen
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Posted by G.E NJI on 04/28/2010
THIS MATCH WITHOUT INIESTA IS CALAMITY. THIS YEAR IS NOT FOR BARCA. AFTERALL THEY WON EVERYTHING WINNABLE LAST SEASON. WHERE WERE THE LIKES OF JOSE LAST SEASON. BARCA FOR LIFE. LET THOSE WHO CLAIMED TO BE BETTER THAN BARCA ACHIEVE WHAT BARCA HAVE ACHIEVED. EVEN IF WE WIN OR LOSE BARCA IS THE BEST.
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Posted by Anonymous on 04/28/2010
BARCA WILL WIN!!!! teams dont come to the camp nou n live to tell the story! WE ARE WOLRD CHAMPIONS! AND WE WILL SHOW THAT TONIGHT! OLE OLE BARCA BARCA!
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Posted by Barcelonafans-sukarse on 04/28/2010
Oops, looks like you lost :)
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Posted by Eto o on 05/10/2010
Pep has swallowed his throat. Not a good coach in my opinion, just lucky to have met a talented team that gave him more than a treble on a gold plate but when he was given the chance to bring in players, he choosed to dumb the force behind the Barca attack and that might even cost him the liga title.
Eto o doesnt do tricks, he does the basic and is always a major influence in every game he plays while Ibra tries to stick the ball in his own ass sometimes all in the name of skills. Bullshit
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Posted by LewBamSheella on 09/22/2010
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Posted by Milioriking on 09/28/2010
Hi forum, cool weather and good mood. life is a good thing however turn
Posted by bobhadze on 09/30/2010
I love music like "Queen". What about you?
Posted by bobkomas on 10/13/2010
I love music like "Queen". What about you?
Posted by thesunshining on 11/12/2010
Hi, today is a beautiful day in my life. I saw a first snow in this year and I save this photo for all people in the World!
Posted by blogs.soccernet.com on 05/21/2011
Parking_the_bus.. Outstanding :)
Posted by kemf tits w7n9 on 07/02/2011
Parking_the_bus.. Nifty :)
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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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