With all due respect to Arsenal, the match was shockingly 1 sided before TW came in. I've seen sides like Xerez, Osasuna and Espanyol displayed much more resistance than Arsenal produced.

The first 15 minutes, Barca already mustered 12 shots on goal, and 6 of them are on target. I think Barca players themselves didn't expect this at all. After that, they significantly lower their tempo, playing like on the training pitch, without any intensity. It's such a shame we couldn't score during that period. Ibra's blunder early on was insane

And lastly, damn, I do want to see Cesc at Camp Nou

Dude, I'm sure Pep has his own reason. He obviously has the Athletic encounter in his mind.

I think this is also the reason why Messi was deployed with more reserved tactic than usual. All this is to preserved energy for that potentially bruising encounter. Moreover, the game will be at San Mames. So it will be very demanding match

I think the return leg will be next week.

Why? I think Busi did well very enough just now. Toure will take Keita's place if he get to play.

unlucky for barca..already lead 2-0..nvmd we still got the 2 away goals..

to be fair a really fantastic display from Barca. They show the world that why they were crown to be the European Champion with their exceptional skills. But you must also give credit to Arsenal for they never dying/ give up spirit towards the end of the game. Tell me how many teams that can face Barca and concede 2 goal earlier but still fight back till the end?

We might lose Cesc, but so do Barca also lose their 1st choice CB Puyol and Pique in the return leg.

Lets hope for another exciting match next week

And also a compliments on Barca style of play 70% of possession not a joke man, although i'm an Arsenal fan but got to admit that Barca is now demonstrate the best fluent football in the world

I'm sure other cules aren't too bothered with that, as Milito and Toure are as good as Puyi-Pique. But we shall see. If Marquez plays, then Nasri should target him

what a game!

review all the goals here:

http://bit.ly/dyLOkr

Yeah, plus with barca almost certain to be controlling the midfield, a strong CB pairing isn't really needed anyway.
Even arsenal playing home also they can control 65% possession -.-
Frightening team...

On another note - what a stupid refereeing decision!

This post has been edited by bkfeng89: Apr 1 2010, 01:50 PM

great game from both sides....too bad cesc injured for the next leg..

even he not injured he still cant play next leg
our job become easy, play at home + Iniesta comeback + they w/o Cesc and maybe w/o Gallas-Arshavin too
now it depend on finishing

i think strong CB is important for barca.i know arsenal will lunch full attack for last 30 min...they sometimes using this strategy to counter attack with full power.

But the way,i personally dont hope marquez playing next game...i think he really always made unnecessary careless mistake.

I dunno why,i still think pep made mistake substituting ibra by henry.if i am him,at least i wont let him play at emirates stadium....he seems like not really want to play the game.this is my opinion only..no offence.

anyway kudos to arsenal..the last 30 min..they really playing very very well i would said.

el classico is coming too hehe...2 big match....

milito and rafa should be fine, with yaya in front of them.

arsenal would have to attack right?
i dun see the score would be 0-0 in nou camp

I'd really rather see gaby-toure and marquez deployed in midfield.. Rafa just has no pace and intensity in defence, especially against fast opponents like arsenal, not to mention bendtner would be much taller than him, and gaby, toure has to be in defence to support the defense physically..

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Added on April 2, 2010, 7:08 amBesides, they're happy drawing at home after conceding 2 away goals, that describes the situation well, no?

This post has been edited by myhotgary2: Apr 2 2010, 07:08 AM

definitely..but i don't know how pep will manage the players as after the arsenal clash barca would face real madrid the next 3,4 days.

I think barca would press for an early goals, if they manage than they can play more calm and relax.. no urgency..

so..arshavin and gallas also could not make it to 2nd leg.. thats a blow for them too....

This post has been edited by picado: Apr 2 2010, 01:39 PM

I do hope Pep start to rotate his players more. Chyggy has remained idle for too long, and JDS should get more minutes, since he has been training with the first team for a while now. And Jeffren looked very menacing as well last time he played.

Im not so sure of Chyggy. The last time he played he made so many errors that nearly costs a goal..

Hasn't Chyggy learned anything after all this while he only concentrated on training? We can't determine whether he has learn anything if we don't test him. Oh well, he might have not learn anything, maybe that's the reason Pep is not ready to play him just yet

Arsenal and Real Madrid are two very important games that barca can't afford mistakes. Maybe after that pep can play chyggy lor..

hehhehe..hahahaha...

picado, i'm not laughing at u aaa. i'm just laughing at something else..

nice clip here, Cules forever

classy 4 - 1 win! well i gotta love bojan. 1st half was amazing football displayed by the team. 70% possession without xavi,iniesta and co.

welcome back abidal!