A Must Win Match; FC Barcelona vs Chelsea UCL Semi-Final Preview

The mouth watering Champions League clash between FC Barcelona and Chelsea is upon us and if you are still sleeping wake up. For FC Barcelona this is a much win match and they should also make sure that they don't concede against Chelsea. But with FC Barcelona's defensive fragility and aerial weakness, that is going to be difficult. So we have to realistically hope for Barca not to concede more than one goal and most importantly hope that we are able to have a two goal lead. Stamford Bridge would be a difficult place to score a goal, so we have to grab the tie in this match. FC Barcelona surely would have preferred to get into the match with a win at Mestalla, but that was not the case to be. But the tough draw at Mestalla might have given them enough preparation for the tough encounter against Chelsea. Especially the fight and spirit shown to grab a vital point against Valencia would have done the team some good. There is nothing to separate between these two teams when it comes to head-on-head record. But FC Barcelona definitely hold an advantage against team's managed by Guus Hiddink. Hiddink have only managed to win twice against Barca in nine encounters. So Barca will be hoping that he keep in line with that record.

Guardiola will have only one decision to make as far as team combination in tonight's line-up. Puyol had a terrible night against Valencia and the huge sentiment in the blogosphere is to rest him and play Marquez. I don't subscribe to this thinking. There are three reasons for this - first the last time Puyol played was against Getafe as Left-back. Now he has been shuffled all over the place in the defense and I have belief that he will come good in this match. Secondly, I have already said that our defense works well when our midfield is in control; against Valencia our midfield failed and our defense simply wilted. Thirdly we want our Captain on the field for such an enormous encounter, absence of Captain definitely will send in a negative message to the rest of the team. So I expect Puyol and Pique to start as centre backs infront of Valdes. Dani Alves and Eric Abidal should play their usual full-back roles. The midfield is the most important section for tonight's encounter and Guardiola should be shot if he decides to have any other formation that a Xavi, Toure and Iniesta in midfield. The forward line-up has to be made of Messi, Eto and Henry. Eto has been poor in last match but we need him there to lead the attack.

The main battle will be held between Barcelona's midfield duo of Iniesta and Xavi against Chelsea's. They both have to be in top form if Barca needs to win this game comfortably. Messi has been not in his usual top form for last couple of matches but should be motivated to play well against Chelsea. Yaya Toure would be the key to stop Chelsea's direct play and guard the defense from extreme pressure. Another key battle will be between our centre back and Drogba. Drogba has done always well against Barca and would be looking to repeat the same. But one thing is for sure anything other than a victory will put Barca seriously on the backfoot in the Champions League and maybe in the league also. I predict a very tough match but Barca should emerge victorious by 3-1.

Valencia vs Barca Pictures on 25/04/09

Barca Player Rating against Valencia - 25/04/09

Valdes - 5.5 - Made some crucial saves. But his blunder which gifted Valencia the equaliser was the turning point of the match. If he had shown a bit of sense to punch the ball away rather than try to catch it, Barca would have heading to half-time with a goal lead. He was not the only one responsible for the poor game, but he played a big part in it.

Alves - 6 - Went forward in many occasion but also showed a tendency to leave his flank empty. Most of Valencia attack came from that flank. In defense he made some crucial intervention but stood as a mere spectator in the second goal.

Puyol - 5 - A very poor game. Was very clumsy with his challenges and should consider himself lucky to not been awarded a yellow card. Had me worried when it appeared that he had brought down Villa inside the box, the replays showed Villa went down easil. Distribution of ball was poor.

Pique - 7.5 - Much better than his captain. There were many crucial interventions. But his ball distribution was not upto the mark.

Abidal - 6.5 - Was decent in defense but was quiet going upfront.

Xavi - 5.5 - The general ahd a very bad night. Valencia closed down him too easily and the fact that Busquets had a poor night put too much pressure on him.

Busquets - 4 - Played a great part in the equaliser. Otherwise the worst player on the pitch. Never looked in control, gave away possession too cheaply and held on to the ball for long drawing challenges and breaking rhythm of attack.

Keita - 6 - Had an ok night interms of presence. But he couldn't produce anything from the middle.

Messi - 6.5 - A poor night by his own standards. Took his goal well. Made some great runs but was always cut off by the defense.

Eto - 6 - Worked hard but was very poor upfront. Gave away balls cheaply. We need him to show his class but he failed.

Iniesta - 8 - The best Barca player on the pitch. Great assist for the first goal and had some delightful ball played into box. He was handicaped by the fact that he had Busquets and Keita in the middle, hence he has to drift to middle to create anything.

Substitutes :

Henry - 8 - Great match turned the game with his intervention. Did well with goal.Was always involved from the moment he was brought in.

Gudjohnsen - 7.5 - Linked well and helped to tore the Valencia defense. Showed the presence of mind not to rush and touch Henry's lob for qualiser to goal as he would have been clearly offside.

Man Of The Match - David Silva