Manchester United – Barcelona: Champions League, Tuesday 2:45pmEST

By: Isaiah | April 28th, 2008

Update: Check out the liveblog on the main page

This. Is. It. There’s no tomorrow, no next match. We’re in it to win or we’re out on the street. The whole season, all the good and all the bad, have led up to this moment, this game, these 90 minutes. Everything bad can be forgiven with a glorious display or the last 4 games of misery can be compounded and turned into an absolute firestorm.

So where do we stand in this second leg away from home? It’s 0-0 on aggregate, so we’re definitely not behind, but neither are ahead. The advantage we have is a draw including goals means we advance on away goals. However, any loss whatsoever and we’re gone and a goalless draw (the least likely of the circumstances, I would think) leads to extra time.

Our squad for this match is: Valdés, Pinto, Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Milito, Abidal, Sylvinho, Edmílson, Touré, Deco, Iniesta, Xavi, Gudjohnsen, Bojan, Eto’o, Henry, Messi.

I expect the same lineup that started in the Camp Nou to start this match, with one exception: Valdés, Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Abidal, Touré, Deco, Iniesta, Xavi, Eto’o, Messi.

The exception, of course, is the return of Carles “I eat Red Devils for breakfast” Puyol. You know they just made a movie about him? Here’s a screenshot. It will be good to see how Deco plays in front of this more solid and more comfortable back line (that is, solider and comfortabler for those of you into new and exciting adjectives). The reason I say this is because with Marquez, the ball was constantly flipped forward rather than directed through Xavi and Iniesta on the ground.

Deco allows a secondary on-the-ground passing level that just isn’t there for Barcelona without him. This not only helps on the break, but gives more options to players under pressure in the attacking third. While I can’t imagine it’s a popular option with the fans for the players to play the ball back, it’s an necessary option, especially if that option (Deco) is willing to crank long-range shots. He is capable of scoring from 25 yards and he’ll need to be willing to shoot from there in order to unlock the ManU defense.

You can check out what their squad is going to look like by going to see Nick’s preview at the ManU Offside here. He mentions that Rooney and Vidic are the doubts and we can only hope that without Vidic at the back, they’ll be a bit more likely to give up goals. Rooney didn’t look like he could handle Abidal, but it will take the best game of his season to keep them out of the back of the net from his side.

Toure will have to show up with all his assassin power (that means no injuries to him!) to keep Scholes and Giggs unsettled. We need 90 minutes of out him because we can’t expect 90 out of Deco and if we get a lead, we need to retain it at all costs. We don’t want to lose players for the final, but we also don’t want to not have a final to play our reserves in, if that’s what it comes down to. So stick the boot in, make Cronaldo whine, flop, flip, and dip. Seriously, just do what’s necessary. Speaking of, Sport has a small profile of his lady friend, Nereida Gallardo, including links to her latest NEKKID pics. Here is the NSFW link NSFW. She’s certainly attractive…NSFW Here’s NSFW where the rest of the gallery will be available next Monday.

I expect an open game because ManU is a different beast at home. If the same lineups that appeared in the Camp Nou are put out at OT, we won’t see even close to the same amount of possession as we did in the first leg. It’s just not possible that Fergalicious can or will allow that to happen. Even our anemic offense will score given 120 minutes over 2 games. At home they have the advantage, but I can’t help but believe in my team, in the fact that we have the ability to show up and fight out a win or a draw anywhere in the world. We are ~~Marshall~~Barcelona!

1-1 draw and we advance on away goals.

VISCA EL BARCA!

And just in case you needed to get your fill of mansteel, here is something for ladies:

Where to Watch FC Barcelona. The game will be on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes at 2:45 and replayed at 5pm on ESPN Classic.

Some Related Barcelona Posts:

Category: Barcelona, Champions League, Lineups

« Help a cule brotha out! | Home | Man U 1-Barca 0, a.k.a. “No silver for you!” »

matt

MAN UNITED CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE!!!!! beat Barca and spanked the dirty Romans once again!
Sid

Calamity befalls as there is goning to be an all english final.
Charlie

I'm sitting here in my Barca jersey eating KD and watching the game on tape after listening to it live at work. No one at work understood why I was so grumpy after we lost.. I guess they just don't understand it. God I hope we smash Madrid in the Clasico.
chipie

Btw, It was Zambrotta who made the assist... and of course had to play with the yellow, but I thought he did a pretty good job of quieting down Mizz Ronaldo (at least with the football.)
Oh, and I totally disagree with the assessment of Ronaldo's latest fling. Without the fake body parts and overdone hair gel/makeup, she'd be OK, but the added features make her somewhat unattractive IMO.
chipie

Yeah, taking Iniesta off was horrible. I'm not able to watch games but once in a blue moon, but I'm not understanding what Eto'o has done to have a stranglehold on the center striker position. Did Rijkaard ever consider trying to play Henry in his preferred position?? I've liked Eto'o for a while... so I have a hard time badmouthing him, but I have the feeling his ball handling skills made it out of the question to play him out wide, so Henry was the one to change. That doesn't mean you can't change tactics when plan A doesn't work...
Isaiah

John, goat of the match is Zambrotta. He was horrible throughout.

I'm gutted. Absolutely gutted. I haven't felt this bad about a sporting event in a long while.

I'll be back with a vengeance after Kevin gives his review. I expect that he'll thrash Zambrotta and Eto'o.
john

Really disappointing. Eto'o gets goat of the match, goat of both legs, if you ask me. It seemed that every time he got the ball up front he turned his back to goal and sent some slow ball back for someone gutsier to have a go at. Henry should have come in way earlier in both matches.

I'd say the player that deserved this win most was Messi, who at times seemed the only Barcelona player committed enough to challenge. Big changes needed for the Catalans. But now I might just skip the all English Final, especially if Chelsea goes through. I can think of more entertaining ways to waste my time.

Oh yeah, and lastly: Henry for Iniesta? INIESTA? Leaving Eto'o in? Rijkaard might as well have waived and headed for the parking lot right then. Ugh.
Mat

i think they just really wanted it too bad...even more than us...you could see them chasing balls like madmen...even the dumb commentators said that Barca did not have any attack whatsoever from the left..Damn you Ronnie...punk!!..what he did this year what totally unacceptable..just loosing interest in the middle of it...I thought these guys were "professionals"...no wonder the team looks massively disjointed....don't let him go for less than 50quid...and sell him to mancity..let him rot there :(
Colin

2007 - 2008 ends pretty much the way it was since December: frustrating, befuddling, and toothless. So ends an era, let the bloodletting begin.
Ste

Excuse me Daniele, your inflated sense of self-worth astounds me...You compare Roma to Barca and Arsenal??? HA!

Yes, we played tactically, yes we played negatively at times to get the job done, but for you to put your PITIFUL team alongside us is about as ignorant as it gets....
Ste

Relieved is the only way to describe how I feel...

The only consolation I can give to you Barca fans (and I hope this helps somehow) is that you were by far and away the best team to come to OT this season....

Messi...Brilliant...
Daniele

sorry guys..

you along with us (la roma) and aresenal play the best football in the world.

you had so many chances, and man u is a squad well below you...
jake

What the hell happened to Eto'o? Henry really should have started.

There's going to be alot of changes in the Camp Nou.
Gabriella (ASR)

I am so sorry, so very sorry!

Everyone on the Roma blog was rooting for you guys!
Jenny

Hope fades....to....Nothing.

Devotion is so terribly cruel.
Jenny

My heart is broken........
llobster

zambrotta killed me

and what was with that long ball shit wasting time at the end? just cus we were playing in england doesn't mean we have to play like them

at least it was exciting i guess
Bobby G

The dream ends.
Mat

only one goal man...only oneeeeeeeeeeeeee
Bobby G

When the hell was the last time anybody saw Abidal successfully complete a pass from the left?
Bobby G

OK -- Henry's on. Now it's time for Frenchman to show his quality
Bobby G

Eto'o is so out of sorts: time to bring in Henry and Bojan. Rijkaard has throw in the kitchen sink.
Bobby G

Rijkaard's gotta give Henry at least 30 minutes.
Jay

Ahhhhhhhhhh, finally we can get this thing going. Vamos Barca!
Kxevin

I don't like Eto'o starting for Henry. Y'all know why. We'll see how it goes in about nine minutes. I'm with Isaiah. I'll be scarce, but the knots are already in my stomach.

My one great bit of football mischief was wearing an Argentina shirt to the Cote d'Ivoire/Argentina quarterfinal match of the last Cup, just to see what would happen. The outrage was pretty funny. "Black skin? You can't be for Argentina!" Hysterical.
Isaiah

Thanks for the scoop, ballbeav. With that, I'm signing off and going to hibernate away from soccer news for the next 3 hours.

And when I return, I shall be beer-laden and delirious with delight as we will have pasted ManU!

VISCA EL BARCA!!!!
Isaiah

I lived in Mexico during the last World Cup and went to a bar with a bunch of friends for the Mexico-Argentina match that ended 2-1 on Maxi's golazazazazo. Being a true blue American (as opposed to a red, white, and green Mexican't, I guess) I calmly proceeded to badger my Mexican friends for the next 3 months about how much they sucked at life.

The US not making it out of the group stage didn't really change my insults because when someone was like "yeah, you guys did really well..." I would just point to every other sport on earth and say "Wait, aren't we better than you at that?" :) I'm a jerk.
ballbeav

scoop! line ups:

Valdés, Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Abidal, Touré Yaya, Deco, Xavi, Iniesta, Eto'o y Messi.

Van der Sar, Hargreaves, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Nani, Tevez, Carrick, Scholes, Park y Cristiano Ronaldo.

Actually, some confusion: elsewhere in the same news, it says Vidic and Rooney wont play. So I think Brown will be in there instead of Vidic.
Jenny

When I cheered for Cameroon's second goal, I was the only one. So this old fart walked up to me and shoved me in the chest and yelled something I can't remember. That's when I realized all eyes were on me and I should find the nearest exit! The street lit up later that night when England advanced. I also realized then and there the football was a serious matter, not just a game!
Jenny

Ballbeav, be careful with those ornery English fans! This my date me a bit, but I almost got my ass kick by a 70 year-old English fan in London. I guess I shouldn't have been cheering on Cameroon in the World Cup against in England, in an English pub in England no doubt! I was young, dumb, and fearless! Haven't like the English fans ever since!
ballbeav

Got on my bootleg Messi shirt that i bought on the streets of El Salvador, ready to go represent down at the local British pub (Seattle here). ManU supporters will be in the majority but i am hoping some cules are there as well. At the Chelsea-ManU match on Saturday, there were grips of ManU fans, singing songs, charming, but some were very annoying. and when Ballack slotted home the winning PK they gazed deep into their disappearing pints, finding little consolation. I think they will be shitting big bricks today. Can't wait! Xavi Xavi Xavi!!!!!
Isaiah

Makes me excited for my trip! New cultures are awesome!

Because, you know, we don't have prostitutes in New York.
Kxevin

But know that the Ronaldo thing isn't TOO far off topic. Anyone who's ever been around the Camp Nou late on match nights, knows that it is the gathering place for the types of folks Ronaldo was allegedly frolicking with.

How 'bout that?
Isaiah

Jay, I heard about the Ronaldo thing. Sport has video of him "negotiating" with the trannies. And I'd like to make it clear that this blog is all-inclusive. If that's what you're into, cool, have at it. I just think it's funny that someone would be like "ooops...j/k j/k didn't know you were hasing man parts". Though one time I was pretty hammered on tequila in Mexico and a friend of mine (equally if not more hammered) was like "dude, check that chick out" and totally wanted to get with her until it was pointed out by another friend that he was 1. a prostitute and 2. a man. So I guess it's possible if you're blizasted. And for the record, I did think he was a she until he got closer and it became obvious that this was not the case. Cheap tequila rules!

And no, that wasn't one of those stories that's all "so I have this friend with this STD..."

Kevin, yeah, boot in. Good ideas. I'm too nervous to think about this game or work or anything. AAARGH. It's both good and bad that it's a slow day here.
Kxevin

We will advance, 1-1. Man U will play more open, and we will be able to exploit the spaces left by their aggression. There won't be a lot of goals in this match, just because both defenses are so stout. If there is a rain of goals, it's more likely to come from them than us. The lads at the back have to be careful. If we get an early goal, the better for us, as they will have to press and we will be able to get more on the counter. They canNOT score first, as they will pack it back. Then we'll have to chase the game, and will be vulnerable to the counter.

We shouldn't relax if Rooney doesn't get the start, because Tevez is more dangerous, both with his head and his feet. Rooney is much easier to defend. Just get in his head, and he's done.

If Yaya and Abidal have the same matches they had at Camp Nou, we're through, unless Man U pack it back to play for extra time and a shootout. Henry will also be critical. If he's in the mood, I can see two goals coming from us.

If the buzz is correct and Henry starts, I'd love to see him in the Eto'o central attacker spot.

Less than three hours....it's killing me.

The review will be late, because today is my production day, so it will be a late evening, and I'll be pedalling home to watch on the DVR.

Lads, put the effing boot in!
Jay

Talk about renewing their vows. My favorite part was the "karate style kick" by the groom. I'm sure you already heard about the other Ronaldo's run in with that trans.
Isaiah

Well, Jay, pass your time with this.
Jay

Haha yea, Puyol and Yaya are the most popular man-crushes on this blog. Time is dragging soooo much, I want this match to start already.
Isaiah

Jenny, sorry to offend your feminine sensibilities! ;) The thing that I though was interesting about Nereida was that she was just a tad busted in the mouthpiece. I also couldn't quite decide whether or not they were fakes. I'm leaning towards yes, but only because she's dating Cronaldo, who is about 1% actual human and 99% hair gel so they would go well together.
Rob

Henry is quite right, OT is a big atmosphere, but its not Anfield. Man United fans can also be a bit quiet if their team is down.
Jenny

Oh, and Henry is trying to get into the minds of the Man U. fans, stating that the OT is definitely no Anfield and not near as intimidating as they'd like to believe. Let's hope he's right!
Jenny

Enough with the BOOBS already! Personally I thought Nereida looked like she had a third with that huge necklace she was sporting. I, for one, agree with Jay, not simply for the sheer sex appeal but rather the pure steel appeal. Don't worry Jay, man-crushes are allowed here. Look at Isaiah and the rest of the lot, myself included, with our Ironman syndrome. It can't be helped really, so don't fight it!

Heard on GolTV news that Frankie-boy would start with something like a 4-4-2, with Iniesta pushing forward. Same line-up really, with the exception of Puyol. I'd like to see Iniesta and Deco pushing the flanks and Xavi and Yaya holding the mid. Eto'o will be ready to strike and the Messiah will leave the defense dizzy, dazed, and defeat!

Tots Units Fem Força! BARCA! BARCA! BARCA!
Isaiah

Seriously. But I'm partial to the other kind, personally. The kind that Nereida Gallardo is rocking.
Jay

Oh and those are some pretty man boobs!
Isaiah

Welcome indeed, Charlie and everyone else who is new to the blog. We love your input. Perra, you contributed exactly what we all should.

And Ian, for sheezy we need to keep an all-England final from happening. That would be a disaster of epical proportions. And that's not even a word!

Jake, I almost started this post with that picture, but decided against it...not sure why. It just seemed that putting the boys up was more appropriate to the tone I wanted to set, maybe. But then again, watching C.ronaldo C.rying is awesome.

Interestingly enough, I was rooting for Portugal in that game.
Jay

1-1 will be the score. Goals by Eto'o and Ronaldo. Hopefully Barca can hold on in the last 10 mins. ManU will press like there is no tomorrow with that scoreline.
jake

I completely agree with you, Sid. Conceding no goals really helped us. I can see us with either a 1-1, 2-2 or 2-1. One way or another, Yaya will make Ronaldo cry.
Perra

I don't have much to contribute really, just want to help Jenny out: PUT THE BALL IN THE NET…PUT THE BALL IN THE NET…PUT THE BALL IN THE NET…PLEASE GOD…LET THE BALL GO IN THE NET! NOT OUR NET, ONLY THEIRS!
VISCA EL BARCA!!!
BAMOCARES

AM A BARCA FANS SO PRAISED THE lorD FOR THE VICTORY AWARDED TO US AGAINST MAN U 2ND LEG ITS JUST 1-0 AWAY GOAL
Sid

NIce pic Jake. In my opinion, the game is more in our hand than in theirs. If our players click and play with hunger, we will beat them and if we cant, then we`re out.
jake

Welcome, Charlie.

EVERYONE GO TO THIS LINK!!

LETS DO IT AGAIN!
Charlie

Been reading this blog for a few weeks now, I'm excited to see so many enthusiastic Barca fans. I really really wish I had a vacation day I could use tomorrow so I could watch the game live but it looks like I'll have to PVR it and watch it when I get home... I'm going for a Barca win, either 2-0 or 2-1. Let's go boys.
jake

Great preview. We can win this thing. I hope it's 1-1, just to see the look on Ronaldo's face, knowing that his miss cost them the champions league. Either that, or a 27-0 win, with 25 goals from Messidona, 1 from Yaya, and 1 from Sir Carles (has a nice ring to it, don't you think? Even I got a little aroused by that photo, and I just set it as my background.

And yes, Ironman is a biopic. The Terminator trilogy was also loosely based on Yaya's life.
Ian Rose

The rest of Europe is counting on you, Barca. We are one game away from an all-English final, and only you can stop that from happening. Viva Messidona.
Jenny

Thanks Isaiah, I needed to see that picture. Helps claim the nerves, he's all mansteel, hair and nipples. I'll sleep a little easier know he's on our side.

One last thing before I hit the hay. Everyone, repeat after me...PUT THE BALL IN THE NET...PUT THE BALL IN THE NET...PUT THE BALL IN THE NET...PLEASE GOD...LET THE BALL GO IN THE NET! NOT OUR NET, ONLY THEIRS!

VISCA EL BARCA!!!
Raji

It should be a tantalising game with Barca progressing. I have a feeling it will be an open game (duh!) but i still think it will be a low scoring affair. I just hope Barca score the first goal and exploit all the space that is left when MAnU attack. Im feeling so so anxious for this game though that i cant wait for it to be over!
Paul

GET A HAIRCUT!

2-1 United on a goal at the death from hmmmmm lets see.... CARRICK