Is Barcelona really the best team in the world from front to back?
The majority of pundits and football fans alike are convinced that this current Barca team consists of the best group of players to be assembled in the modern era. A select few would go as far as to say that they are the best team ever. Player for player is this really the case? Is there a proven formula for conquering this awe inspiring group of players?
Can Chelsea repeat their display of three years ago?
After Chelsea stumbled past Benfica this past Wednesday night, so called football experts united in dismissing any chance of Di Matteo’s resurgent side defeating the mighty Catalonians. It is almost as if they had forgotten the dramatic semi-final the two teams had shared only three seasons ago. A tie in which Chelsea boasted Barcelona’s greatest fears: power, energy and discipline.
The likes of Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Michael Ballack disrupted the ‘total football’ that the Barcelona management demands of its team. This was achieved by getting in amongst the Barca playmakers Xavi and Iniesta and resorting to an aerial game which benefited the players mentioned. If not for a last gasp screamer from Iniesta, Chelsea would have advanced to a second straight all English final against Manchester United.
On this occasion Chelsea dominated most aspects of the game, especially during the home leg. Iniesta’s match winner was unbelievably Barcelona’s first shot on goal in the entire game. The tie represented how something as simple as faith in your own ability can have such an impact when you come up against a side like Barcelona. Chelsea entered the tie believing they could win, this translated into their style of play, giving Barca little or no time on the ball.
Why all the keep ball?
People often sit startled as to how and why Barcelona’s ball retention is consistently so superb. Half of this comes down to how the players were schooled under Johan Cruyff’s ‘total football’ philosophy whilst being brought up in the Barca youth academy; the other half is a result of the respect that the opposition in general displays.
Based on a fear that their teams will be cut to pieces by Barcelona’s incisive passing, managers tend to adopt a ‘park the bus’ approach, which often results in all 10 outfield players being camped in their own half. Not only does this approach favour the games of midfield trio Busquests, Xavi and Iniesta, it makes the centre-back pairing of Pique and Puyol look like footballing gods due to the amount of ball they see to feet and the amount of time and space they are given to pick a pass.
Chelsea were superb over the two legs in shutting Barcelona down from the front, a strategy which is apparent in other examples and one which could be considered the formula for beating the best in the world.
Well Said! True Blues!
Please pass on this Chelsea suicide note to Roberto Di Mateo. What a misleading article!
no because chelsea team is a mess .they cant beat foulam to beat barcha its only a dream.1.hilario 2.tyrnbull 3.ferreira 4.essien 5.lampart 6.kalou 7.malouda 8.bosingwua 9.mikel all this crap players must leave and replace them with better quality players.the end cech only for bench we need new and better goalkeeper and torres if finding good buyer then sell it to them.abramovich is rensponce for this mess the latest 5 years chelsea play good football only two first years with mourinio and godyensen duff robben we need more qualith midfilders and wingers .