author: Tony Cascarinosource: The Times
date: 17 April 2009
editing: fcbtransfers.blogspot.com
I'm not sure why Barcelona are attracting so much admiration and awe, as if they were one of the greatest sides in history. They're not: they are overrated and Chelsea can beat them in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Because as good as Barcelona are going forward, their defence is suspect and that prevents them from being a truly great team.
When I've watched them this season, they've flattered to deceive. Yes, they are fantastic in attack. But you can get at that defence, and the reason they've looked so comfortable in advancing to the semi-finals is because they haven't played many decent opponents.
They beat Lyons 6-3 on aggregate but this is the weakest Lyons side for a number of years. They’re not a team to fear, and they did score twice in the Nou Camp. Then, in the quarter-finals, Barcelona beat Bayern Munich 4-0 and home and shared a 1-1 draw away. Instinctively you think that’s incredibly impressive but Bayern are not a good team. The sort of team who will give away chances that you know top forwards such as Barcelona’s will take.
But the Catalans will concede their fair share of opportunities as well, because of the open, attacking style they play and because their defence and goalkeeper aren’t top-drawer. It’s why I think that if Chelsea play well at the back they will knock Barcelona out. That might be a big “if” after the 4-4 draw with Liverpool.
But we know Chelsea have the potential to defend better. With a central defensive partnership of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho they will look more secure, and while Ashley Cole won’t be there because of suspension, Michael Essien’s got the agility and legs to subdue Messi, as he subdued Steven Gerrard at Anfield.
It will be a shock to Barcelona to face a really tough team after the easy ride they’ve had so far in Europe and in Spain, where Real Madrid have been ordinary and Valencia, Seville, Deportivo La Coruna and Villarreal are all not as good as they were.
Barcelona have been knocked out of Europe in recent years by Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool. English clubs don’t let Barcelona have things all their own way. Liverpool nullified them in 2006-07 by hard work and ground out a result. Chelsea can do that. Stop the service to Henry and Eto’o and they won’t run back to chase the ball. Limit Messi and you limit Barcelona.
And Chelsea won’t be in awe of going to the Nou Camp. They won’t be intimidated - especially since the first leg is in Spain, giving a real advantage to the Londoners. If the tie is in the balance after the Nou Camp, there’s no doubt Chelsea can win. And if they do, if they knock out the favourites, maybe someone will say to me: “Wow, how good were Chelsea?” It might just be that the real question to ask will be “How disappointing were Barcelona?” They’re high on a pedestal they don’t deserve.
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