“The odds are still massively in favour of Barcelona, according to stat magicians Infostrada Sports. In the 233 times that the first leg of a two-legged Champions League tie has finished 2-2, the away team has progressed 83.7% of the time.”
Source: BBC Sport
Who was the best performer against Arsenal? Give your vote after the jump, and use the comments box below to explain your choice.
Spanish youth football site Airfutol report that Real Madrid Castilla winger and Spanish U-19 international Pablo Sarabia (18), considered as the most promising youngster currently in Real Madrid’s youth academy, is strongly being linked with a move to FC Barcelona.
Madrid sports paper Marca claim that Arsenal midfielder and Spanish international Cesc Fabregas (22) will start against Barcelona this evening in the first leg of the Champions League quarter final between the two European heavyweights.
Arsenal FC defender and French international Gael Clichy has promised to stop Barcelona star Lionel Messi destroying Arsenal’s Champions League dreams at Emirates Stadium tonight.
Arsenal FC vs FC Barcelona
(Wednesday March 31, 2010 @ 20:45 Barcelona time – Convert to local time)
Chat Link: http://fcbarcelona.hopto.org/
Facebook Application: http://apps.facebook.com/fcbarcelonachat/ (direct chat through Facebook)
Have you ever sat in front of your TV or computer while you were watching a FC Barcelona game and hoped you could share your excitement, feelings, and opinions with other fans LIVE as it happens?
The differences between Barça-based and Madrid-based press are clearer along the weeks.
Barça-based press: Arsenal – Barça. Champions’ duel!
Madrid-based press: CR9 uses a buccal protector.
Barça players are ready for the Champions’ quarterfinals // Madrid players too.
FC Barcelona forward and Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists he has nothing to prove against English clubs as he prepares to put Arsenal to the sword in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
THE AIM: (to score a) GOAL!
Arsenal – Barça (20.45, Tv3)
“It is of vital importance to score in the away match” said Pep, who thinks Henry is “ready” to play.
Wenger praises Barça and Cesc didn’t train, but he will play.
The unrepeatable cadet of Messi, Piqué and Cesc.
THE BEST FOOTBALL IN EUROPE
Barça and Arsenal guarantee (a great) spectacle.
Arsenal – Barça (20.45, Tv3)
Messi, Guardiola’s stiletto who wants to score goals and Cesc, Wenger’s soul,who is doubtful until the match starts.
Basket Barça: Madrid 73 – 84 Barça. Just a step away from Final Four.
[Non Barça Related]
Bayern 2 – 1 Manchester. Van Gaal took his revenge.
Lyon 3 – 1 Girondins. Blanc, cornered.
Ahead of the match tonight, FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was given a great boost as left-back Eric Abidal was given his medical clearance after being out for seven weeks. He can now be considered for the game after doing well in group exercises these past few days.
Swiss businessman Massimo Busacca will enforce the rules of the game on Wednesday when he takes charge of FC Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Arsenal in London.
It comes as no surprise that the statement made by FC Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita – alleging that a lot of Real Madrid’s la Liga opponents had not been playing with full vigour (as opposed to facing Barcelona) – has ruffled a few feathers, including those of Atletico Madrid’s midfielder Raul Garcia, whose team lost 2-3 in the Madrid derby match last weekend.
In the UEFA Champions League pre-match press conference held in London this evening, FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola spelled out a little of how he’ll prepare his team for tomorrow’s match: “They will play to their strengths, so will we. To score away from home is vital if we want to qualify to the next round. We want to push forward in an orderly manner, and to defend the ball aggressively and with determination.”
Original article @ Telegraph.co.uk Sport
When it comes to Lionel Messi new superlatives are as difficult to find as is a way to stop him playing. Is he the new Diego Maradona? A mixture of Maradona and Johann Cruyff? The ‘best in football history’ or, as Carlo Tévez would have it, ‘simply unbelievable’?
An endless elaboration and explanation could be used with a flurry of descriptive and enticing words. However this will not be necessary, for it is to be simply put: This football match is huge.
The enormity of this game makes it a given that it deserves an equally epic and emphatic prelude, hence my major dilemma. I sat with thumbs twiddling, racking my brain for a platform in which to leap off to begin the preview of FC Barcelona’s biggest match of 2010 so far. As they did four years ago, the Blaugrana would face English Premier League side Arsenal. As I delved through the tape of this prestigious game, in the blink of an eye I found what I was looking for. Here it is…
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted Spanish international midfielder Cesc Fabregas’ (22) chances of being fit for Wednesday night’s Champions League showdown with Barcelona are slim because of a knee injury.
Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger knows that his players face a monumental task trying to stop Barcelona superstar Leo Messi ahead of their crucial Champions League clash.
Keita: I didn’t watch the derby, I knew Madrid would win.
Atleti’s president: Even I knew it.
- What do you think about Cruyff being named Barça’s horror president?
- You mean “honor(ary)” president, right?
- Oh yes! I don’t know what was I thinking about…
Arsenal FC Forward and Denmark international Nicklas Bendtner (22) has hailed Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi as the best player in the world, but insists Arsenal can overcome the Barcelona superstar and qualify for the Champions League semi-finals.
“I think we will always have a special place in the hearts of the Catalans and the club because we were the first team that struggled at Barcelona and won many things, but the current team is the best of all.”
Former FC Barcelona midfielder Michael Laudrup, who played alongside Guardiola in the dream team of Johan Cruyff.
Original article @ BBC Sports
By Sam Sheringham
Rodolfo Borrell remembers the exact date when Cesc Fabregas made his debut at the Barcelona academy. It was 11 November 1997 and the future Arsenal captain was 10 years old.
THE SANTIAGO’S (BERNABÉU) WAY*
24 hours until Arsenal – Barça
Xavi: “To arrive at the Bernabéu final is our dream, but first we have to face Arsenal.”
Valdés, the Champions’ super-keeper.
Abidal, fit, will travel with the team and Piqué is doubtful (but he will travel too)
Keita: “Teams do not give 100% against Madrid”
Ferrer, Alonso and Amor analyze Arsenal in depth.
*”El camino de Santiago” is St. James’ Way; they made a pun with the Santiago’s cathedral (where the St. James’ Way ends) and Santiago Bernabéu.
LONDON…FIRST STOPOVER…TO THE BERNABEU
Barça travels today with the aim of sealing qualification.
Messi and Ibra want to score again in Europe while Arsenal tries to confuse with Cesc (they won’t announce whether he plays or not until the last moment).
Bayern – Manchester (20.45h, TVE-1)
O. Lyon – Girondins (20.45, GOL TV)
Basket Barça: Let’s win a match in Madrid. Barça wants to win tonight to avoid playing a “final” on Thursday.
[Non Barça Related]
Raúl negotiates with Liverpool.
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