Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg: Barcelona vs. Schalke 04

Barcelona president Joan Laporta received his first ‘pañolada’ on Sunday evening. A pañolada in Spain is when the home fans at the game wave white handkerchiefs in the air to show their disapproval. To be fair, Barcelona didn’t play that badly in the goalless draw at home to Getafe, and were unlucky not to score, hitting the post three times. Getafe however, still on a cloud after drawing in Germany against Bayern in the UEFA cup, didn’t show Barcelona any respect at all and could also have taken the game.

Barcelona must now turn their attention to the Champions League where they have to defend their one goal to nil advantage over Schalke 04. In theory Barcelona have everything in their favor; they are playing in front of their own fans at the Nou Camp stadium, they have an away goal from the first leg, and Schalke 04 aren’t really a team to fear. Or are they?

Barcelona are in the midst of a crisis at the moment, even if the results aren’t that bad. Ronaldinho seems to have played his last game for the Catalan giants, as the club doctors have now stated he is indeed injured and will be out for what is left of the season. Strange that only a week ago they were saying there was nothing wrong with him. The club is still waiting for Leo Messi to reappear as well. They were not at all happy when the Argentinean announced that he would be recuperating in his native country instead of staying in Barcelona,  and another player, Thierry Henry, doesn’t know if he is injured or not. Many people are saying the ex-Arsenal legend was a waste of money and that the London club knew only too well his physical problems.

The main problem though, and this is what is angering many Barca fans, is the lack of fight in the team. Many can’t believe that their team can throw away a two goal lead and lose to a side like Betis who are struggling to maintain their category. Coach Frank Rijkaard needs to make sure his players do everything in this match or we will see a lot more ‘pañoladas’.

Schalke 04 meanwhile travel to the Nou Camp knowing what an uphill task lies before them but also with morale high as they are now second in the Bundesliga after beating Rostock at the weekend. Jermaine Jones gets back into the lineup after serving a one match ban in the first leg, but Ze Roberto will miss the game with a torn thigh muscle.

Barcelona need to be careful of Gabi Milito, Charles Puyol, Rafa Marquez and Yaya Touré. All four players are one yellow card away from a one match ban, so if they do make it past Schalke 04 they will need to be very careful.

I am going to have to go for Barcelona making it through to the semi finals here. For Schalke 04 to score two goals and win is a bit unlikely, unless something very odd happens. They played very well in the first leg and were unlucky not to score, and that is where they let themselves down.

Prediction: Home win (1-0)

Champions league quarter final first leg: Schalke 04 vs. Barcelona

Schalke go into this match on a five game unbeaten run since losing the Bundesliga game with Bayern Munich at the start of March. Last weekend they drew away to Karlsruhe in a match that ended goalless, but still retain the third spot in their league due to Leverkusen losing away to Frankfurt.

This match could very well be the upset of the Champions League quarter final first leg games as Barcelona are very much favorites but have been having a hell of a time recently. At the weekend they threw away a two goal lead to allow Betis back into the game. Betis then went on to win the encounter by scoring three goals in the worst second half for Barca in living memory. The way the whole team just fell apart (or fell asleep) must be very worrying for the board of directors, most of them wanting coach Frank Rijkaard’s head on a plate. The Dutch manager will definitely be looking for a new job next season, and it remains to be seen if he can finish this one with any silverware. Their chances of winning La Liga are looking slimmer and slimmer after each game, and they have now slipped to third in the table behind Villarreal, who won a very important victory over fourth placed Atlético Madrid.

Another big headache for the Catalan giants is what to do with Brazilian star Ronaldhino. He didn’t even make the list for the Betis game, even though he now claims to be fully fit. Insiders in Spain say that he will never pull on the Barca shirt again this season and he will certainly be sold off in the summer. The problem is finding a club who are willing to pay for his enormous salary.

Schalke 04 by contrast are having a great season. They are third in the Bundesliga and have qualified for the quarter final of the Champions League for the first time. A lot of their success can be given a name: Manuel Neuer. This young goalkeeper has exploded onto the European scene and will surely get bigger and bigger as he gets older. He stopped two penalties in the shoot out between Porto in the last round, and was a major reason why Schalke 04 are still in the competition.

Barcelona meanwhile can rely on the presence of Rafael Martinez and Gabi Milito again, after both defenders have been given the all clear after injury. This is good news for Barca fans as their defense has been absolutely terrible of late, and the team has conceded eleven goals in the last five matches. The bad news is that Samuel Eto’o will have to make a late fitness test to see if he is able to play after picking up a thigh strain in the Betis game.

I’m going for a shock home win here. Barcelona are in crisis at the moment and I don’t see it ending any time soon. They have the second leg at the Nou Camp stadium though, and will probably feel this will be enough to get through to the semi finals.

Prediction: Home win (2-1)

Barcelona Valladolid

23/3- Barcelona have played good football throughout the season but the last few weeks have not gone as per their liking, in the last 5 matches they have played they have lost twice and won twice and drawn a single match which is something a top team like Barcelona would not appreciate. This week they get prepared to take on the 17^th placed Valladolid. While playing at home Barcelona have been very strong and in fact they have been the best team when it comes to home performances in La liga this season and they would like to win this convincingly and close down the gap on leaders Real Madrid. The last time both these sides played against each other, which was earlier this season when Barcelona had travelled to Valladolid, the match ended in a draw. However a look at the overall record between the two sides would clearly suggest that Barcelona would be the heavy favourites as they have won 15 times of the 23 matches played between the two sides in the past 15 years while Valladolid have only be able to manage 3 victories.

Looking at the current form as well Barcelona would be better as they have won 5 of their last 10 matches while they have lost only 2 and there have been three draws but Valladolid on the other hand have only 3 victories with 5 losses and a couple of draws. Playing at home in front of the home crowd would also be an added advantage for Barcelona and they would be hoping the most of it. Anything less than three points from this tie would be highly disappointing for the home team as they might not only fall back behind Real Madrid but their second spot might also come under serious threat.

Valladolid in all this would like to get a point and keep away from the relegation zone.

Prediction: 2-0, Barcelona win

Almeria vs Barcelona

16/3- Almeria have had a good season this time and currently on the 8^th spot they look good to end the season in the top half of the table but they have slipped in their performance in the past few weeks as they have lost two matches in the last three games and they would like to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later and this week they get prepared to play hosts to the second placed Barcelona. Barcelona would be hoping that their luck and performance would improve in the La liga and match the kind of play they have been able to display in the Champions League. They would be in a desperate hunt for points after the gap between them and league leaders Real Madrid has again cropped up to 8 points. The last time both the teams played each other was earlier this season when Barcelona while playing at home were able to register a 2-0 victory and they would be hoping to repeat the same this time as well. Almeria would also be looking out for some points and they would want to make the most of the home advantage they have.

Barcelona have been in decent form and in the last 10 matches they have been able to win 6 times while losing 2 others with the remaining two being drawn. Their last week’s home loss to Villareal would have been disappointing and they can be expected to come all guns blazing in this forthcoming tie. Eto’o and Henry can be the key players and their contribution to the team’s performance can be a deciding factor.

Almeria on the other hand would want to get over their loss to Osasuna in an away tie last week and would want to get at least a point off this tough home tie.

Prediction: 1-2, Barcelona win

Champions league: Barcelona vs. Celtic Glasgow

This shouldn’t be too big a problem for Barcelona to qualify for the last eight of the present edition of the Champions League. They beat Celtic Glasgow by three goals to two in the first leg at Celtic Park, so the Scottish club has to travel to the Nou Camp and score at least two goals while keeping Ronaldinho, Messi, Henry and Eto’o at bay. No easy task then, for the men from Glasgow.

However, the Scotts will find a bit of hope after having watched Barcelona’s first league defeat in eight games against Atlético Madrid at the weekend. Madrid’s second team went against all the predictions and won it by four goals to two. This was after coming back from behind after Barca’s Brazilian star Ronaldinho put the Catalan club in front with a marvelous scissor-shot. (Look for it on the net as it is well worth it). Normally Atlético would have folded, especially as their form has been well off of late. However, they didn’t fold at all turned the game completely around as Forlan, Maxi Rodriguez and Agüero (twice) all got on the score sheet. Barcelona were able to pull one back through Eto’o but it was too little too late. Barcelona will be kicking themselves for allowing Atlético so much space and time on the ball which is something they mustn’t let Celtic have. They were just two points from leaders and arch rivals Real Madrid before this game, but must now face an uphill task as they are now five points adrift after Real’s win against Recreativo.

For Celtic Glasgow the weekend was quite different. They beat Hibernian by two goals to two away from home and maintain a four point gap between the leaders Rangers. The good news is that Scot Brown will be eligible to play after serving a one match suspension in the first leg.

The last two occasions when Celtic played at the Nou Camp stadium the games ended in draws, and I can see this happening for a third time. Barcelona’s Leo Messi is set to start the game on the bench, first because coach Frank Rijkaard wants to rest him, but also because the Argentinean is one yellow card away from a one match ban.

I’m going for the draw here. Barcelona will want to put this game to bed as soon as possible, but Celtic will come for a fight and make life very difficult for the Spaniards.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Athletico Madrid vs Barcelona

1/3- Barcelona have all of a sudden found a reason to fight for, after being 8 points adrift of the league leaders they have come to just 2 points behind Real Madrid and now travel to Madrid to take on the other club from the city, Athletico. Like their city club, Athletico have also had a rough two weeks and hence they find themselves in the fourth spot. Athletico would be hoping to get back the winning touch and there is no better time than while playing at home. Barcelona had got the better off the Madrid side the last time both teams had met but the overall record between the two sides stands in favour of Athletico, at least for the past 15 years or so. Barcelona have struggled away from home and have not been able to win many matches while Athletico at home have been quite convincing and have performed quite well.

Barcelona would be hoping to possibly take the lead away from Real Madrid this weekend and is this happens the Spanish league would turn out to be very interesting. Having won the last three matches Barca seem to be in prime form and their 5-1 win last week against Levante would be a huge confidence booster for the side. With Messi, Eto’o, Henry and Ronaldinho in their side Barca can win against any opposition at any venue and the fans would be hoping for the big names to deliver in this all important tie.

Athletico Madrid on the other hand would try and get back their form and also try to win back the lost third position before the end of season. Forlan would be their best bet and if the side can perform to its potential they might be able to pull out some crucial points out of this tie.

Prediction: 1-1, draw

Barcelona vs Levante

24/2- Just when it appeared that Real Madrid would run away with the title they are going through a slip against weaker oppositions and the second placed Barcelona is trying to make the most out of this small opening provided and get back in a position to challenge the leaders. This week they play hosts to the team lying on the 20^th position on the points table, Levante. Barcelona have just lost a single match at home this season and they would be expected to register a comfortable victory when they take on Levante but they would have to be just a little careful with their approach as a laid back approach could prove expensive to them as it did last week for Osasuna who were beaten by Levante 2-1. Barcelona have not lost a single match to Levante in the last 15 years and even when they met earlier this season Barcelona had won 1-4 in an away tie. With just 5 points separating them from the leaders Barca would go for the kill and make the most of this given opportunity.

Barcelona come into the match after they defeated Real Zaragoza 1-2 in a away tie last week and since Real Madrid lost to a lowly ranked Real Betis their confidence would have shot even higher. A lot more goals can be expected with Messi, Henry and Ronaldinho playing for the side. Barca would be hoping to get a full three points and anything less would be highly disappointing.

Levante on the other hand have proven that they cannot be taken lightly and have the quality to play in the top division but they would have to produce such performances on a consistent basis. Though their chances of escaping relegation are fairly slim they can at least give in their best efforts.

Prediction: 2-0, Barca win

Champions league: Celtic vs. Barcelona

Celtic Glasgow have an uphill task if they want to defeat the mighty Barcelona and advance to the next round. Despite getting eight wins form the last eight games, they must be very aware of the fact that they are not the favorites to go through, and aren’t even favorites to take the win on their home soil. The Scottish side is currently second in the league and four points behind leaders and arch rivals Rangers. Manager Gordon Strachan has a young side who are looking for European glory. If they are capable of reproducing their league form in the Champions League they might have the possibility of pulling off an historic victory. Celtic have scored thirteen times in their last three games and if they want to put any goals past in form Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes they will need to be at the top of their game.

Barcelona meanwhile pulled off an important league victory at the weekend to narrow the gap between leaders Real Madrid to five points. Their two – one away win at Zaragoza though was over shadowed by bad refereeing decisions and neither of their goals should have counted. Thierry Henry clearly handled the ball to control it in the first goal and the winner came from an inexistent penalty. The Catalan side have now gone twelve games without losing, though six of those matches ended in draws. They will also be paying a lot of attention to AC Milan’s last match at the Celtic Park stadium, where the Italian giants were dramatically beaten by two goals to one.    

In team news Samuel Eto’o should make a reappearance in this match after his African cup duty. He arrived back in Barcelona with a small injury and coach Frank Rijkaard decided to leave him out of the Zaragoza game. Leo Messi and Yaya Touré need to be careful with the yellow cards as they are both just one short of a suspension, but if this first leg is going well they might try to provoke the referee into giving them one in order to sit out the second game at the Nou Camp.

Celtic’s Scott Brown will definitely miss this clash as he has already seen three yellow cards and he will be an important absentee for the Scottish outfit.

Celtic’s great win over AC Milan was one for the history books and I doubt whether they will be able to pull it off again here. I’m going for a narrow Barcelona win, who will probably do as little as possible, knowing that in the return game in Spain they will have all the advantage.

Prediction: Away win (0-2)

Real Zaragoza vs Barcelona

16/2- With every passing match it appears that Real Madrid are moving ahead of Barcelona by an even bigger margin and this would be highly concerning for the team placed on the second position. In an attempt to keep their hopes alive Barcelona travel to take on Real Zaragoza. Though Barcelona do not face any threat of their position being taken away but they would not like to accept defeat that easily as three good matches for them and three bad ones for Real Madrid could still change the equation. Barcelona would also have the psychological edge as they managed to beat Real Zaragoza 4-1 in a tie earlier this season but in the 12 matches played between the sides in Real Zaragoza, the home team has won on 6 occasions while 2 have been drawn. Hence Real Zaragoza would be pleased that they are playing at home.

Real Zaragoza would like to climb up further in the upper half of the table as they are currently in the 10^th position and in a way also try to get over last week’s loss against Osasuna in an away tie. In Milito and Oliviera, the home team has two fantastic strikers and both have scored more goals individually then any of the Barca strikers this season. Also the home crowd would be a great support while taking on the strong opponents and the fans would expect the players to rise to the occasion as this is a crucial juncture of the championship.

Barcelona on the other hand would want their star studded frontline to fire as the famed trio of Henry, Ronaldinho and Eto have not been able to deliver as consistently as expected and hence Messi has turned out to be the leading scorer this season with 8 goals to his credit. The visitors would want all the three points off this tie and anything less would be disappointing.

Prediction: 2-3, Barcelona win

Sevilla vs Barcelona

9/2- Sevilla have struck gold and have regained their lost form and appear to be on a winning streak and have managed to score 6 points in the last two matches. But this streak could be brought to an end as they get prepared to take on second placed Barcelona at home this week. While Sevilla are trying to jump up the ranks on the table Barcelona would be trying to have the last throw of dice in order to try and challenge Real Madrid for the title. Sevilla are placed 7^th on the table and their performance at home has been great this season and they have won 8 of the 11 matches played at home this season where as their opponents Barcelona have not performed as well while playing abroad and that would be one thing that could go against them. The last time both the teams met was earlier this season and Barca managed a 2-1 victory playing at home.

Sevilla would be playing at home and would expect a strong crowd support and like the last time both teams met at this venue they would like a positive winning result. Fabiano and Kanoute have been the two most influential players in the team in terms of scoring goals and both would have to play their best football in order to ensure that the side is able to outscore the visiting Barca team in order to win the match.

Barcelona on the other hand would be hoping to close down the gap between them and Real Madrid and would hope that Real lose another match like they did last week so that the points difference is cut down to three. Messi and Henry would have to fire in case the second placed team is wanting to climb to the top of the table.

Prediction: 2-2, draw

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