I wonder, how many Barca games have you watched this season? Did you watch recent Shahktar's performance against us? Their first half in Camp Nou and the encounter in Ukraine? Their game was tremendous. Yes we won 6-1 by aggregate, but don't read into result too much. If you've watched the match, you should realize that the tie could go either way.

So I've no problem praising Shahktar. So, why do I not say the same for Mourinho's Madrid? Because Mourinho's approach and Lucescu's approach was totally different. For me, Lucescu's tactic was much superior than Mourinho's. Yes you read it right, I just typed it that way.

You say the only way to play us is only by using defensive tactic? Do you remember how Pellegrini's Madrid performed in Camp Nou? The match ended with only 1-0 win for Barca, and Madrid had their fair share of chances too. They didn't play like Mourinho did obviously. I enjoyed that game. So, why can't the Special One replicate these 2 sides? Why should he resorted to the least preferred style by the fans?

Hopefully the style changes tonight. Please, no more cagey game. If you guys follow the news, one of the big news is the grass in Mestalla. IINM, its gonna be shorter than the pitch in Bernabeu, and this may give our passing game more advantage.

Really hope for a good game tonight, with Pinto in goal no less

I think they also sat deep during the first half. It just that we didn't attack them effectively. We keep losing the ball in midfield, so their defensive gameplay was not obvious. But when we turned it up, the catennacio was for all to see.
Xaviesta may never make use of Villa's diagonal runs. How could they thread their through balls between the 2 layers of defense line? Moreover, if Villa cut inside from the left, he would only meet dead end. As of last night, when cutting inside, Ramos, Arbeloa, Khedira and Xabi might all surround him. The best he could do then was to pass the ball back, or try his luck with his weak left foot. Isn't that a waste of opportunity?

But Villa in the middle can be the fox in the pen box. I think he should do more runs like the one he made against Albiol at Bernabeu. Messi and Iniesta play together in tight spaces just at the edge on the area, Pedro can be the 2nd poacher, pouncing on loose balls.

I just can't envisioned any other tactic to beat the ridiculous wall. As I said, the wall is pretty unusual, and that's an understatement.

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Added on April 21, 2011, 6:02 pmAnd obviously, we should do more of this. More, more, more.