Barcelona's Shakhtar line-up

OK folks, with the return of Xavi and Pedro, here's FCB's expected CL line-up:





F:       Messi, Pedro, and Villa (but prefer Maxwell wide left to counter the condensed mass of defenders on the edge of the box)

M:      Xavi, Iniesta, Mascherano

D:       Adriano, Pique, Busquets, Alves

GK:    Valdez





Alternatively, Iniesta can play out wide left with Kieta/Afellay in the mid-field.





Let's make this very clear, Shakhtar is dangerous! Even Cruyff, has expressed his fears.  Why? They've got Brazilians everywhere, everywhere!!!





Thanks to Mistress Kari @ Barcelona Football Blog, I can share this analysis with you:





See this link --> Who Are Shakhtar and What Can We Expect?





First, Shakhtar have a disciplined back line led by Dymtro Chygrynskiy who spent a season with FCB recently & is complemented by their Croatian version of Dani Alves, Darijo Srna.





Second, Shaktar employs 2 defensive mid-fielders who are complemented by two Brazilian wingers who will track Alves & Adriano and thus possibly reduce their contributions.





Third, our back-line has been our Achilles Heel and it will fall upon Mascherano to stop Brazilian attacking midfielder, Jadson, from creating fast and dangerous counter-attacks.





Fourth, Brazilian Luiz Adriano has been spectacular in the lone striker position!  He will cause problems for Pique if he is not at his sharpest (best not to have Shakira in Barcelona or Europe for that matter).





Thus, any FCB onslaught will most probably be countered with 8 players in defense to contain Messi & company in the 1st half.  That will mean that FCB will have possession but remain susceptible to speedy counter attacks & long-range attempts (effective against Valdez).





In summary, FCB will have to maintain control over the ball, keep pressing, play out wide to counter the condensed formation in the box, and stay alert in the back for any sudden counter attacks.  FCB will have to win at home (and win big)!





Happy hunting gentlemen and good luck.

Sucker punch, suckers!!!

I am so happy I don't even know where to begin...



Hmmm, should I start by Moron-hu's misery or Barcelona's victory? This is Moron-hu, and I don't really feel like being sportsmanly today and have a laugh at his expense, Ha ha ha ha!



Let's start with the shock upset of the season, even bigger than Hercules defeat of Barcelona in week 2.  Truth be told a depleted Mardid lost to Sporting Gijon's dying moment sucker punch, but more importantly the loss ended Moron-hu's long-standing and flawless record at home (having not lost 150 home games since February 23, 2002, spanning a period of 9 years with Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Madrid).  There was no comparison between the two sides with Madrid taking 13 shots-on-goal out of a total of 33 shots vs. Gijon's sole strike out of a total of 4 shots.  Hats off to Sporting GK's Juan Pablo for his heroic efforts!!!



Now, will this be a bad omen for Moron-hu? Will they lose their next home match when they host Barcelona? After all misery loves company!!!



Barcelona's win was a pleasant surprise and broke recent tradition where the team plays poorly after playing international and Champions League games spanning a few seasons now.  I predicted a hard earn draw, but was more than happy with an under-strength Barcelona victory and Madrid's humiliating loss.  It was also good to see Afellay, Keita, Thiago and Mascherano get more play time.



Next up?  FCB welcomes Shakhtar to the Camp Nou for the first leg of the Champions League clash!