CHAPTER 22: Rematch, Retaliation, Revenge, Retribution & Redemption

"No vamos a fallar -- We are not going to fail" - Rivaldo (before Barcelona played againts Valencia in the final La Liga match of the 2000-2001 season)

Maybe I should renamed today’s title post as “The Clash of the Titans”. Or perhaps “The Second Awakening”. Then, maybe I should just called it as “Chelsea – Barcelona: PART II”. Whatever it is, the most anticipated clash of the UEFA Champions League second round looms so ever closer than before (3 days left).As we all know (amongst football followers around the planet), this is quite the most hyped of all the forthcoming Champions League matches this week. Two of the most impressive teams this season in Europe. The leaders of the Premier League against the leaders of La Liga. The so-called ‘best defence’ against the so-called ‘best offence’. Mourinho vs Rijkaard. Ronaldinho & co. vs Lampard & co.
…..
For those of you who follow football, you all know what this is all about.
Destiny has played it’s part again.

"........and Chelsea will play againts..........Barcelona"

Being a Barcelona fan, I can’t wait and eagerly expecting this match to happen as there’s one BIG thing that’s been lingering around my mind (as well as other Blaugranas) ever since this match was set up during the draw last December : REVENGE.
Last year, Chelsea prevailed against Barcelona in the same kind of match. That was really tough to take and accept. First leg, Barça winning 2-1 and Chelsea ended up winning 4-2 and went through by the aggregate score 5-4. But nobody can’t forget all the ill tempered matter, all the controversies, all the provocations and bad mouthing from both sides, and the goals. From Drogba’s dismissal and Anders Frisk imminent resignation from the game following death threats to him and his family, to Mourinho’s accusation of Rijkaard ‘influencing’ the referee, to the 3 quick-fire counter attack goals by Gudjohnssen, Lampard and Duff at Stamford Bridge in the space of 15 minutes, to Ronaldinho’s unforgettable toe-pock goal, …. To John Terry’s goal that ended all of it, without the exception that evidently where Carvalho tugged on Valdes as Valdes was trying to save Terry’s flying header as the ball crossed the line…….and Collina didn’t take any of it, Barca cried foul, where Chelsea rejoiced……….let’s not forget at the end of that game, there were allegations of racial abuse as Eto’o and Ronaldinho were involved in a scuffle with the Chelsea stewards…………..

So here we come again. Both team have been destined to play againts each
other again (and how ironic, it was at the same stage of the event just like last year). The opposing exception to last time is that now the first leg of the matches begins at Stamford Bridge, and the second leg is at Camp Nou.

Moving on the match preview…….

You can’t say there’s been much change between both teams to that of last year’s. Both Chelsea and Barça are now stronger than when they each met last time, where reinforcements have been made. But the nucleus of both’s squad core players remain the same. Both Chelsea and Barça will rely on the captaincy and leadership of John Terry and Carles Puyol respectively (and both being centrebacks, how identically bizarrely ironic). Up front, both Ronaldinho and Frank Lampard will be the star and most important players for either teams (with Ronnie’s talent, flair and trickery to Lampard’s set-pieces, physical presence and efficiency). Excellent, a duel that will again showcase the best from the FIFA World Footballer of the Year (Ronnie) with the runner-up from the same category (Lampard).

The talismanic figures for both sides: Lampard (top) & Ronaldinho (bottom)

Then you have the new emergences for the game. In this clash between the big boys, Messi and
Robben will make their respective debuts. Messi’s breakthrough this season as a first team player
and Robben being injured for both matches last time, these two wingers/forwards with their pace and dribbling prowess will no doubt provide heavy artillery for both fullbacks and defenders of Chelsea and Barca to handle.Chelsea and Barca will no doubt field in their strongest team on the field. The other stars of the show (Eto'o, Drogba, Joe Cole, Marquez, Valdes, Chech, Makelele, and the others) will be there. It's abit of a pity that (also indentically ironic) that both will miss two of their best performers this season. Xavi is out injured due to teared ligaments, whereas Essien was banned for both matches due to his terrible tackle on Hamann. Barça will mostly miss Xavi for his precision and decisive passing (which has been so crucial for Barcelona's possesssive, attacking football flow) whereas Chelsea will lose another midfield workhorse and burly powerhouse in Essien.

The key absentees: Xavi Hernandez (L) & Mikael Essien (R)

It’s hard to predict who will come out victorious once come 8^th March, but this game will be a game of duels between so many fractions of each squad, pitting against each ones’ powers and each ones’ weaknesses.
Another fascinating encounter to savor, the duels in this game is unbelievable.And you can be sure that neither Jose Mourinho nor Frank Rijkaard would not rest in matching their wits against one another (what with Mourinho’s style of supreme confidence, verbose and extrovert manner against Rijkaard’s calm, cool and low-profile approach).

In this game, both teams will play according to their own strengths and preferences. Barça will rely on possession and attacking football. The expected forward line consisting of Ronaldinho, Eto’o and Messi will need to be sharp at any goal opportunity and Deco and the other midfielders will need to control the field for Barça if there is to be any chance for Barça to win.
Chelsea on the other hand will play like their usually do. Direct, and counter attacking football accompanied with their use of physical presence in their game. The backline of Terry, Carvalho, Gallas and Ferreira is very hard to break down, what more when you got the hard-working defensive lynchpin Makelele holding up the defensive aspect of Chelsea’s midfield up in front of those four. Mix in the fast pace of Chelsea’s wingers in the form of Robben and Joe Cole, and the endless activity from Lampard orchestrating their attack will be as devastating as Barça’s wave of attack from their forwards.
I think what can be said is that the key of victory for either teams are two aspects: possession and control of the midfield battle and defensive side must always be on alert.
Not for one second should the midfielders and defenders be loose and far apart from the ball, which could lead to openings for both team to pounce (this was what cost very, very fatal to Barca last year). Both team have a great squad of players. Looking at statistics, the last matches between both sides in the competition always had the home side winning in either leg (last year, Barça won 2-1 at Camp Nou, Chelsea won 4-2 at Stamford Bridge. Previously in 2000, Chelsea won 3-1 at home whereas Barça won 5-1).

The fact though still remains, Mourinho is a better tactician than Rijkaard (their records speak of itselves). But what could be the mistake if Chelsea loses this time around is that if Mourinho underestimated Rijkaard and Rijkaard plays his card right in not making Barça moving forward too much (the danger of playing the offside trap against Robben and Cole is extremely dangerous) and exposing the backline. Last time, no doubt Barça controlled more of the possession between the two, even when at Stamford Bridge. But those three goals by Chelsea is due to their rapid counter as Barca’s defense went loose. In this case, Barça will have a defensive midfielder on the field (unlike last time). Either Edmilson or Motta would have to step up the mark and shut out Lampard and the rest of the Chelsea passers.

In the end, what I want is for a Barcelona victory. But this is football, anything can happen. It’s been some time now, but I strongly believe that Barça owned something from last year’s match to gain back. But who knows……………but what is as also important is that we can all enjoy a spectacular game of football.

Anyway, here's a link to a trailer for the upcoming match by a certain Master Prime who posted it in one of the forums I regularly visit, Xtratime. For those footballing affectionados, it will surely make your heart pump blood faster than before as you're watching it (more so if you're a Chelsea or Barça fan).
Allright, can't wait for it.

¡Forca Barça! y ¡Vamos a por la Victoria!