FC Barca Blog

What: UEFA Champions League, Group Stage – Round 4. Barcelona vs. Inter Milan Where: Camp Nou When: Tuesday, 24th of November 2009. 19:45 GMT

The Prematch Conference

Preview We’re currently entering the most important run of matches that we will have for some time. 2 matches, to be precise, although one not as critical as the other. We face Inter Milan on Tuesday in a match that could well decide our current season in this competition. The last time Mourinho was at the Camp Nou (with Chelsea of course) the game ended in a 2 – 2 draw because of a 90th minute strike by Drogba. Eto’o is Mourinho’s new Drogba, and we all know that Eto’o has a tendency to score last minute goals when they really matter (although not as much as Messi ) I was supposed to write an article about why I think we shouldn’t worry about the next 2 matches, but sadly I had exams. I’m hoping I can summarize it a little bit in here. We need to get these 3 points, if we don’t and Rubin Kazan pull off a win, we’re either out or have as much chance of going through as do pigs flying. Let’s keep our hopes up for now, because the football is played on the pitch and not on this lovely blog. It’s funny how people claim that we’re the best side in the world, that we play the most entertaining football in the world and we’re unstoppable, but because of one draw and falling behind Real Madrid by one point, we are in trouble. Kaka says it, Mourinho says it and Goal.com’s writer (I prefer not to mention any names ) says it. I remember how bad we were last season, we lost to a newly promoted side and drew against Racing. Guardiola didn’t have any experience and thus we were doomed. A year later, Barcelona’s trophy cabinet is 5 times shinier. The Champions League, La Liga, The Cup, The UEFA Super Cup and The Spanish Super Cup were all won under his tenure at the club Why should we stop worrying and love Guardiola? Well, for one reason. Because he’s Guardiola, he has never let us down nor will he ever let us down. A perfectionist is a person who believes perfection can be and should attained. According to Guardiola (after a 6 – 0 mauling of a certain side), we made some mistakes and there still is a lot of things that need improvement.

At that time I though, what more does this dude want… 10 – 0? I realized over time that yes, that’s exactly what he wants and if possible, why not 20 – 0 or 30 – 0. His theory is: when we score all the shots we take and make every pass we attempt without losing the ball, then we are at the peak of our abilities. Guardiola took a side of youngsters to play against Leonesa and both times they came out on top, with a 7 – 0 aggregate. It’s meaningless right? I mean common, it’s an inferior team we’re talking about so even Wigan (who got mauled 9 – 1 ) could’ve beaten them. Right? Wrong, wrong and oh yeah.. WRONG!!

The biggest proof is Real Madrid sending out an over talented side and getting their asses handed back to them home and away by an even weaker team than Leonesa. Go figure! Pep can have these youngsters do anything with a ball if given the time and that’s why I am not worried about our squad depth that most people are talking about. If I know Mourinho, and I think I do, it would be better for him if we did not qualify to the next round. Simply put, he’s that bigga prick. It makes you wonder, if they parked the bus in the San Siro, they’re probably going to park a freaking boat when they play in the Nou Camp. There is an interesting contrast between Barcelona and Inter Milan. Inter Milan play the most boring football in the world (along with Chelsea and Real Madrid) because they wait for their opponents to expose their cards before choosing to withdraw or call.

Barcelona on the other hand always call, and that’s why they play the most beautiful football in the world. Iniesta is determined to put an end to the crisis talk. “I don’t know if there are doubts about us or not. I understand that there’s a lot at stake; that’s the truth. I understand this situation makes people doubt us, but we know that our fans are behind us. When the team is doing well it’s easy to support us, so I’m convinced they will be there for us tomorrow. The crowd is always there for the big games.” I have no doubt that the stadium will be packed, but the stadium was also packed against Rubin and look how that turned out. This is the first final of the season. The next final will be against Real Madrid. The only difference between those 2 finals is that the first one will for qualification while the second one will be for pride and bragging rights. I mean so what if they’re 4 points ahead of us? It’s the fact that they won’t shut up till the next time we beat them that makes me want to beat them so bad . By the way, If I’m offending anyone who supports the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid or Inter.. well.. what are you doing on a BARCELONA blog?

The man with the plan (Guardiola) will decide whether or not Messi and Ibrahimovic can play against Inter before the game. I am already nervous because of the game. What makes me more nervous is waiting for that flashy thingy that will show the lineups. In my opinion (and yes I dare to make that bold statement) Mourinho isn’t the only one who knows how to play mind games. It was evident in the semi-final match against Chelsea last season. He DID play a mind game, but not on Hiddink or Drogba or whoever, he played a mind game on all our players. With 2 minutes left, he went over to Guus and hugged him. That hug inspired the team and spurred them on. Believe it or not, that’s what happened.

Mourinho is 99.9% sure that Ibrahimovic is going to start. Why? Because he knows that Ibrahimovic wasn’t injured to start with. Messi probably got a little knock, but nothing that serious. The reason it was made official that Messi and Ibrahimovic might miss both clashes was to allow the opposition to underestimate us. Then BAM!! Call me crazy, but it’s no shock (for me) that Messi and Ibrahimovic have been included in the Squad . Anyways enough of that and let’s move on to the match analysis.

Team Forms:

Barcelona – Last 5 Matches

Athletic Bilbao 1 – 1 Barcelona
Barcelona 5 – 0 Cultural Leonesa
Barcelona 4 – 2 Mallorca
Rubin Kazan 0 – 0 Barcelona
Osasuna 1 – 1 Barcelona

Inter's Training Session At the Camp Nou

Inter Milan – Last 5 Matches

Blogna 1 – 3 Inter Milan
Inter Milan 1 – 1 Roma
Dynamo Kiev 1 – 2 Inter Milan
Livorno 0 – 2 Inter Milan
Inter Milan 5 – 3 Palermo

Predicted Lineups

Lineup #1 (provided Messi and Ibra are given the green light): Valdes, Alves, Puyol, Pique, Maxwell, Busi, Keita, Xavi, Henry, Pedro, Ibra.

Lineup #2 (Messi and Ibra are out): Valdes, Alves, Puyol, Pique, Maxwell, Busi, Xavi, Keita, Iniesta, Pedro, Henry.

For the first lineup, we go out with the usual without the inclusion of Iniesta. This is mainly to give the game a more defensive approach with the likes of Keita and Busi sucking up the opposition’s attacks. On the other hand, Keita might start in the DMF replacing The Yaya and Iniesta and Xavi might partner up in the midfield. This is all provided that Messi and Ibra are fit. If not, then we revert to the second lineup that sees Iniesta on the left and Pedro on the right with Henry in his beloved CF role. We can also see Bojan and Pedro partner with Henry up front while Iniesta, Busi and Xavi form a Spanish trio in the midfield.

Prediction

Barcelona 1 – 0 Inter Milan. Predictions are that it’s going to be a draw. I highly doubt it because one thing’s for sure, and that thing is: We cannot afford to draw this match nor lose it. Win this match, welcome to the knockout stages, draw the match, good luck sleeping at night, lose the match, good luck sleeping at all . These 3 points will put us first (or second if Rubin Win) I’ll be watching the Dynamo – Rubin match that starts at 17:30 GMT ahead of the regular schedule. I’m rooting for a draw to be on the safe side but if I really want to be cruel I’ll root for a Dynamo win, that way if we win, we’re first, they’re second, Inter is 3rd and Rubin is 4th. But I’m not cruel because I kinda believe in Karma. Come this time tomorrow (currently 21:50 GMT) the match will be over, I wonder will we all be in a jolly mood, or will we cry ourselves to sleep? Only time will tell…

Visca el Barca!!