Champs League Group, All Chat In Here.

Yeah, whatever team we get it's going to have to be another backs to the wall Barca type performance. In fact it's probably easier to play backs to the wall against Barca than most other teams in this draw. We just can't play football at this level yet.

 

I was listening to the radio last night and a some Scottish pundit (can't remember who it was) said Mascherano, Alba, Fabregas & Xavi is all being rested. Messi will start though to try break that record.

I hope its bullshit & a full strong team is put out.

 

They still have pretty good players boys.

It's not like us throwing on McCourt and Twardzick

 

Are spartaks goalys back yet?

 

I'd love to get Dortmund there a great team and it could be a cracking trip over for the away game if we get through

 

I'm sure their first keeper declared himself fit the other day.

 

they are ....barcelona twitter
FC Barcelona ‏@FCBarcelona
Iniesta, Xavi, Mascherano, Pedro, Alba and Cesc have all been left out of the side for Wednesday’s game with Benfica http://bit.ly/XlCXjD

 

It was obvious Barca would do this.

I said this while all the Barca fan boys where saying they where going to do us a favor.

Barcelona don't give two * about us, if they try 100% to win every game like people said, they would not be resting so many of their main stars.

They might draw with Benfica if we are really lucky.

 

Messi, Puyol, Busquets, Villa, Pique, Adriano, Mascherano etc are all available... not exacty a weak team.

 

It's far from their best team.

Not to mention it shows that they are not as bothered about winning than everyone initially thought.

 

They always set out to win, always.

They do this every year, lucky to draw? Any team facing Lionel Messi are licky if they don't get beat, never mind adding in the rest.

Not there strongest team, that would have Xavi and Iniesta buy still an absolutely world class team.

 

Of course they will set out to win, the majority of professional footballers in the world would.

However the question is, how much do they want too win?

Not that much by the looks of things. Definitely not as much as Benfica will, that is why I say that we will be lucky if they draw.

 

who will be in barcas lineup?
-----------busquets------------
thiago--------------song-------
villa-------messi------alexis

still good enough in my eyes

 

Like I said, I've never seen a player with a will to win like Messi.

Look at last night, Real Madrid vs Ajax, were Ajax were still fighting for 3rd position against a second string Real Madrid. Look at Barcelona's results in the group stages. There is a reason we are the only team to have beat them in a long time in the Group Stages.

Whatever team Barcelona put out, they are a better team than Benfica.

 

Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc, Alba, Pedro & Mascherano are all not going to be in the squadlist

If Bartra were fit, then I would've seen him starting but oddly enough it appears Piqué & Puyol will start despite the Betis clash this Saturday...Benfica is the match that Puyol had that horror elbow dislocation injury, wonder if he is pushing to play as a result...Villa sat against Bilbao, so I would imagine he will start

Possible starting XI:

Pinto
Montoya, Piqué, Puyol, Adriano
Song, Thiago, Roberto
Villa, Messi, Tello​

Bench: Deulofeu, Rafinha (Thiago's younger brother), Planas & Gomez (Both of whom have yet to make first team appearances in CL), Victor, Busquets and Dos Santos

Rewatched the first leg in Portugal, it was a tough match but this is a strong lineup with only Busquets I'd prefer to start ahead of Song...18 straight home matches at Camp Nou in CL without a loss, I'm sure there is only one objective - win

 

That team is more than capable of beating Benfica, who tbh didn't look up too much either time we played them imo.

Ultimately if we fail to qualify for the last 16 then we can't blame anyone but ourselves.

 

Messi is a player with unmatched talent, we all know that, it is common knowledge so no need for you to keep saying it.

Benfica will want to win this game so much more, remaining in the CL depends on it. I'm not saying Barcelona still aren't a better team, (despite them missing the majority of their best players) but they will be a significantly weaker team, along with the game being meaningless in competition terms to Barcelona, and being the biggest game of Benfica's season.....I just don't think Barcelona will get away with three points easily, if they do, Benfica will make it immensely difficult for them.

 

It is by far not the majority of there best players, we shall see tonight but you are severely underestimating Barcelona.

 

Yeah we will know soon enough.

I really hope I am wrong.

 

Fair points, can't disagree...It won't be easy, no doubt about it...I'm not in that camp that thinks this will be a stroll in the park...but this is not a weak XI even if it's weaker than their usual XI...There are players who will be starting with a lot to prove, regardless of the points being inconsequential...Plus, it can't be overstated, there is pride to win at home and I've never seen this team dial in a performance or get outplayed at home in the past 5 years - that's irrespective of the lineup

Particularly for the B team players who dream from childhood to be on this stage...A big reason why I suspect Deulofeu & Planas will make appearances in the 2nd half and make the most of it