Champions League 8-9th March

[slick]

UEFA Champions League
08 Mar 20:45 Barcelona v Arsenal 1.25 6.50 10.00
08 Mar 20:45 Shakhtar Donetsk v Roma 1.90 3.50 4.00
09 Mar 20:45 Schalke v Valencia 2.50 3.25 2.87
09 Mar 20:45 Tottenham v AC Milan 2.25 3.40 3.20

Odds Bet365

[HastGill1]

Barcelona v Arsenal

Well, I've been waiting for this one since the first leg, I'm a bit annoyed at myself for letting the prices drift on some markets, but still good enough imo.
How Arsenal won the first leg I'm not sure, they played better in the second half but were outplayed for long periods, and could have easily have been more than one down at the break if Messi had his shooting boots on..Van Persie and Walcott would have been major weapons in the return leg, prob the two attacking players they have with genuine quality. Cesc will play I'm sure, were rumours about Song and Wilshire also but they will be lining up too, would expect to see..

-------------------Szczesny----------------

Sagna-----Djourou-----Koscileny-----Clichy

-Nasri--Wilshere--Song--Fabregas--Arshavin---

-------------------Bendnter---------------

That is a strong midfield, but Cesc isn't going to be 100%, Wilshire was immense in the first leg and will have to be the same again, him and Song are going to have to be superb if they are to go through..

Puyol is out for Barca which is a problem considering Pique is suspended, they will have to shuffle the pack, with Iniesta, Abidal, Villa and Busquets rested at the weekend I seriously expect them to fly at Arsenal at 100mph, similar to the way they played against Real this season and Arsenal at home last season..closing down the midfield at all opportunities, not letting them breathe. I don't think for a second that the Arsenal defence is anything near good enough to keep Barca out, if they want to go through they are going to have to attack and I think this is where their problem lies. I just don't think they have a good enough defensive structure to keep Barca under control.

-------------------Valdes---------------

Alves-----Busquets-----Abidal-----Maxwell

------Xavi-------Masch-------Iniesta------

------Pedro-------Messi-------Villa--------

Abidal and Busquets have played at the back before but not normally together, certainly not having either of the first choice centre backs in is a blow. Masch will have his work cut out in the middle, Barca are a pretty compact unit though and the central midfield will be keenly fought, he will have plenty of help breaking up the play if Arsenal break.
Arsenal obviously have the experience of the game last year when they got destroyed, are they stronger this time out? Yeah, prob, the starting line-up certainly looks stronger but then so does Barca's.
I just don't expect Arsenal to go through from this tie, the key battle is certainly in the middle of the park, Barca's and Arsenal's main strength is in keeping possession but I wouldn't expect Barca to be chasing the ball for long in the Nou Camp and Arsenal have proved time and time again that they do not generally deal well when they don't have the ball. Arsenal don't have anyone with enough of a game plan to stop Messi, expect the best player in the world to be the architect again..

I view Arsenal as a poor mans Barcelona, the first leg proved that Arsenal can score against a weakish back line that is now further depleted but Barca have been rotating the squad since that game and will be fully motivated and fresh for this one. Wouldn't surprise me if Arsenal scored, but I still think Barca will go through. Was looking at the price for over 3 goals but at 1.7 its not too appealing for me, both to score at 1.83 could well come in also and appeals.

Barca -1.5AH 1.82 (Ladbrokes) 10/10
Barca -2AH 2.42 (Pinnacle) 5/10
Both to Score 1.83 (Bet365) 2.5/10

[mij0sim]

I cant see Arsenal doing anything here.Reason is simple,Barsa is the best team in the world.Of course,Arsenal isnt "some team" and Barsa can sleep,but itshard for me to see that.As huge Arsenal fan,my hart wants Arsenal to progress,but my money is on Barsa.
So i agree with you Hast about this one.

[slick]

Good shout there Hasty and well done, superb performance from Barcelona and they thoroughly deserved to go through on the night, only blip was RVP's sending off but I doubt that would have changed the final outcome.
That was one of the best displays of football I've seen for a long time, they're even now beginning to get a physical edge along with their skill which makes them even more formidable than they allready are.

The Spurs game tomorrow has the makings of another cracking physical game, I have a feeling they just might sneak it against Milan, Bale being back will also be a bonus as he will be needed tomorrow to give them something different on that left flank.

[Kiko]

Surprised your thinking that was one of their best displays you have seen for a long time - it was far from vintage Barcelona, their passing (especially first half) was poor by their standards and their finishing was even worse - extremely wasteful.

I have seen many a better performance by this team than last night.

As for Arsenal, what a bunch of moaning faced cnuts - RVP must have had no more than 5 touches of the ball before he was sent off, they were basically already playing with 10 men. Funny how they are focusing on this when you see Messi in the first leg having an onside goal chopped off (would have been 2-0 Barca) and a blatant penalty rejected last night - those decisions were far more crucial than the RVP one yet I don't remember hearing a whimper from Barcelona about those decisions.

Hopefully now we will stop hearing Arsenal's style being compared with Barca as over the last 2 games we have seen they are a long way away from them. They went against their philosophy also by trying to defend the entire game - they got all that they deserved.