Archive for the ‘Previews: Champions League’ Category
November 23rd, 2009 | 
Author: 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!!
What: UEFA Champions League, Group Stage – Round 4. Rubin Kazan vs. Barcelona.
Where: Central Stadium Kazan
When: Wednesday, 4th of November 2009. 17:30 GMT.
Why!!?
Preview
Rubin Kazan was founded in 1958, that is, 51 years of history for such a tiny club in the middle of Russia. Throughout this short history came their biggest triumph of all. No it wasn’t against CSKA Moscow or Levski Sofia, it was against the giant of giants, the best of the best; FC Barcelona. The scoreline was 2 – 1, however the impact of that scoreline spoke louder than the goals scored. It was the first time (well at least for Rubin Kazan) that a debuting team had beaten the champions of the tournament. Not to flatter Rubin Kazan more than they already have been flattered, but they had their work cut out for them when they made their way from Russia to Spain to play against us, and they did come out on top so I gotta hand it to them. Come the return fixture, it will be a different story (I’m hoping) because Guardiola has had it with everything. The media, the crisis talk the Ibrahimovic is not worth it talk, etc..
What: UEFA Champions League, Group Stage – Round 3. Barcelona vs. Rubin Kazan.
Where: Camp Nou.
When: 20th of October, 2009. 18.45 GMT.
- The Good ‘Ol Days
Preview:
Shall we take a moment to savor our accomplishments of last season? This picture can sum up our entire surge of feelings. The adrenaline rush when Iniesta scored the vital goal that put us through to the final against Manchester United. The excitement when Eto’o put us in front after 9 minutes of play, or the relief when Messi scored that last goal that made us the Champions of Europe for the 2008/2009 season. The good ‘ol days have passed and we’re back to league action where we are currently battling it out with Real Madrid (and in someway Sevilla.) We are back to Champions League action where we will be taking on an inferior (or is it?) side that has made a name for itself back in mother Russia (I’ve always wanted to say that 
) yet seems very unknown to the monsters of European football – well almost unknown as Inter Milan have faced them and they known that they are packing a lean mean cooking machine that can pounce on any team at any time.. Either that or Inter Milan just really suck .
