As part of our features with totalBarca, I am joined again by Joe from the Barca fan site to get his views on the big clash of tonight.
AA: A lot has happened since we last talked. How do you view Barca´s last few weeks?
tB: Football is certainly a strange game and it always amazes me how quickly things can change. When we first spoke Barca we're entering somewhat of a slump - a draw followed by a loss - but it wasn't so much the results that troubled the fans as the performances.
The team looked tired and laboured and the fluidity seemed to have dried up thus the first leg should have seen us score at least 3 goals if not more. But we've been rebuilding of late, the team finding their rhythm.
The team looked tired and laboured and the fluidity seemed to have dried up thus the first leg should have seen us score at least 3 goals if not more. But we've been rebuilding of late, the team finding their rhythm.
This may have something to do with Pep's willingness to finally rest a few players and use the squad to its full potential, a fact that may see one or two new faces in our team for the second leg - most notably Javier Mascherano who has stepped up the plate over the last few games and added some much needed metal to our midfield.
What is your opinion on the first game? How did Barca feel about Arsenal´s comeback ?
The first leg was an interesting tactical battle with both teams showing great quality, but as the game went on you could see Barca's energy dropping and a sloppiness set in that gave Arsenal hope.
To be fair you took your goals well but I don't think the result was an accurate reflection on the game - for large chunks of the game Arsenal were chasing shadows, something that many people seemed to instantly forget once the final whistle blew.
To be fair you took your goals well but I don't think the result was an accurate reflection on the game - for large chunks of the game Arsenal were chasing shadows, something that many people seemed to instantly forget once the final whistle blew.
Honestly most Barca fans on our site seemed happy to give Arsenal the credit they deserved for playing so well but that was also matched by a sense of injustice that we didn't kill the game off in the first half, especially with the offside decision for the goal that never was, as well as a few notable penatly shouts.
Will there be a change of approach tactically from Guardiola at the Nou Camp ?
Will there be a change of approach tactically from Guardiola at the Nou Camp ?
I don't see any great change in approach from Pep. We will try to keep the ball as much as we can, move it quickly and look to catch your backline flat as we did so well in the opening stages of the first leg - hopefully finishing off our chances this time!
If we are to do anything differently we may see Mascherano sitting a little deeper than Sergio did in the first leg with the Argentine hopefully making his presence known on the ankles of Cesc and Jack Wilshere more than Busquets did.
If we are to do anything differently we may see Mascherano sitting a little deeper than Sergio did in the first leg with the Argentine hopefully making his presence known on the ankles of Cesc and Jack Wilshere more than Busquets did.
Apart from Puyol, do you have any more notable absences for the game?
Everyone's disappointed that Puyol won't be ready in time for this game, especially with Gerard Pique being suspended. This leaves us at somewhat of a loss for centre-backs but as Eric Abidal proved in the first leg he is more than capable of playing there, what with the Frenchman winning the man of the match award on our site.
This is a risk but generally speaking Busquets has proved himself a worthy defensive deputy, with his pace and match fitness putting him ahead of Gabi in the running. Could still be the weak link that Wenger tries to exploit though ? As for the rest of the team, there's no other real injury concerns.
This is a risk but generally speaking Busquets has proved himself a worthy defensive deputy, with his pace and match fitness putting him ahead of Gabi in the running. Could still be the weak link that Wenger tries to exploit though ? As for the rest of the team, there's no other real injury concerns.
Do Barcelona feel that the Arsenal side they are facing this week are better/worse than the one they faced last season?
Generally speaking I think most Barca fans feel this Arsenal side is slightly better than last season's but still with a few weak links that we must try to exploit. On the positive side Jack Wilshere and Laurent Koscielny have added strength and stability, whilst Van Persie being fit (up until recently anyway) gives the team the focal point it needs going forward.
On the downside Wenger still seems unable to find a decent, reliable goalkeeper and the wing-backs can definetly be caught out on occassion. And of course there is the soft underbelly of the midfield, where Song and Denilson's inexperience often lets them down.
And your prediction?
And your prediction?
This is far too tough to call but for some reason I sense extra-time but I really really really hope I'm wrong! Again I think there will be goals for both teams.
I get the sense that whilst Arsenal's confidence is somewhat falling right now, Barca's is rising and there is a feeling of injustice that should spur the players on. I think we should have enough to get through what will be a very very tough challenge. 3-1 Barca. Goals for Messi, Iniesta and Cesc.
I get the sense that whilst Arsenal's confidence is somewhat falling right now, Barca's is rising and there is a feeling of injustice that should spur the players on. I think we should have enough to get through what will be a very very tough challenge. 3-1 Barca. Goals for Messi, Iniesta and Cesc.
Thanks again to Joe & Bryan from totalBarca. You can read more from them here.
