tactics for barca?

Tonights game is a must win if we are to progress,realistically anything other than taking  a lead to spain will mean we are out.
Last time we simply paid them too much respect,while fielding a side carrying kompany and aguero who were nowhere near match fit really just played into their hands,it was poor management throughout.
Dzeko and Kolorov must have thrown a spanner in the works for the starting line up after the weekends game against newcastle as both wouldve been certainties for the bench before then,amazing what can happen when they actually try.
I hope we really go for it and try to blow them away,the weakest part of their game is definitely defending so thats what we need to exploit rather than parking a bus and looking to hit on the counter as thats not suited to us.

Hart
Zabaleta Kompany Demichellis Clichy
Fernandinho
Navas Silva Nasri
Aguero Dzeko

Totally agree, aswell as players coming back from injury we showed them far too much respect....although the Demichellis sending off certainly didn't help.

We have to approach the game with the intent of winning...as opposed to not getting beat. It's upto us (as the home team) to try and win the game, Barca will be more than happy with a draw.

I'd definitely play that formation Rich, but i can see the every cautious MP starting like this:

.................Hart
Zab.....Vince....Manga.....Clichy
.......Fernando....Fernandinho
Navas.........Silva...........Nasri
...............Aguero

Hope i dont see fernando in the starting line up,he really isnt good enough to play in a 2

Isn't Fernandinho still banned alongside Yaya?

Paulpowersleftfoot wrote:Hope i dont see fernando in the starting line up,he really isnt good enough to play in a 2

What about Milner in the DF role then?

I thought Fernandinho had served his ban after the CSKA game as his was 2 yellows, TLMLF's was a straight red....but might be wrong.

I agree with what's been said and I think Nasri alluded to it as well in the press conference yesterday. They probably sat back too much and showed them a little too much respect.

For me, there are few things we must do:

1. When we have the ball we MUSTN'T give it away cheaply.

2. We must be clinical when we get chances, because Barca always give you chances.

3. We must press them with energy when they have the ball, and they will have good ball retention, but don't make it easy for them.

Therefore, as much as I'd love to go 2 up top, I'd be more inclined to ensure our MF doesn't get bypassed easily and they can attack quickly - and that is the only worry of having 2 up top.

The extra MF can press high with Aguero....but keep solid, but a high line in MF.

Therefore, to still have an attacking element, but also a strong energetic one in MF, I'd go for this - as Dzeko had a good game at the weekend, but until he does it consistently, he's likely to have an absolute stinker tonight:

...................................Hart......................................

Zaba....................Vinny...........DeM................Clichy.....

...................Milner................Fernandinho....................

Navas.............................Silva.............................Nasri.

.....................................Aguero.................................

Although....if you ever watched Swansea when Bony played for them, his tracking back and helping out at corners was incredible...so he could be an option and play something like this:

.....................................Hart.......................................

Zaba..................Vinny..................DeM..................Clichy

.............Milner.................Fernandinho.............Nasri.........

......................Silva...............................Bony................

.....................................Aguero...................................

I agree with the 2nd line up there blue my only change would be to have the more athletic mangala in the back 4.

Bony is an option. Barca won't know too much about him. I'd be tempted to start with the players that can retain the ball and press the opposition when they have it.

Hart
Zabba, Kompanu, Dimi, Clichy
Fernandinho, Milner
Navas, Silva, Nasri
Aguero

What about Bony up front with Aguero and Silva running at players? I agree that Mangala is pacier than Demi and less likely to get caught having to turn quickly.


............................Hart......................................

Zaba..........Vinny................Mangala..........Clichy...

..........Milner...........Fernandinho.............Nasri....

..............Silva............................Aguero............

................................Bony..................................

I would have Manga too, however, he didn't play on Saturday, and has more CL experience, which suggests to me he'll play tonight.

Either or MCM....Bony holds the ball up well and Aguero runs from deep.

shakencity wrote:We have to approach the game with the intent of winning...as opposed to not getting beat. It's upto us (as the home team) to try and win the game, Barca will be more than happy with a draw.

And did we......i think not .

Said it before the game....2 up front wouldn't work against Barca.

Barca did exactly what I feared....bypassed our limited MF with quick passing. 

Only when we suddenly upped the tempo in the 2nd half and Barca sat back, did we get any joy.

Fernando is just another Garcia....he lumbers around the pitch at a snails pace. Ok when he's up against physical players, but against smart, quick passers....he was useless. For that 2nd goal he was marking space on the edge of the box...even as Messi passed it out wide, he still had time to run into the box and cover any cross...but he didn't. Neither did Silva stop the cross, but we all know he doesn't really offer us that. 

Dzeko....again, ran a lot quicker than he normally does, but with 2 up front it means either he or Aguero then has to do all the running back...so you could see how knackered Aguero was at the end of the game.

Kompany had a shocker, Milner and Clichy wasn't much better.....

We can't have 3 or 4 players not playing to their best in the PL, never mind the last 16 of the CL.

Still, the blame is down to the Manager....I just don't get him.