If Liverpool is Chelsea's familiar opponent, then Barcelona is definitely Chelsea's most familiar opponent outside of the Premier League.
In the past five seasons, the Blues and Reds have collided at every moment in the Champions League, a fact that makes one can't help complaining about the darkness of UEFA; and in four of those seasons they collided with Catalan giants Barcelona, then
Most people would exclaim, damn it.
In the 2004-05 season, the Magic Birds had just arrived at Stamford Bridge. In the knockout stage of the Champions League, Barcelona, half of Mourinho’s former club, was drawn in the round of 16. The away score of 1:2 in the first round did not hurt Already.
Mourinho is the coach of the Champions League champion, because in Mourinho's football philosophy, an away goal is enough to greatly increase the team's chances of advancement. As expected, the Blues returned to home and launched a blitz 3:0
Leading the opponent, Ronaldinho, who was at his peak at the time, equalized the total score with a penalty kick and gained the advantage of more away goals. At this time, captain Terry stepped forward and scored with a header. Chelsea was able to survive.
Since the 2004-05 season, the two teams have been feuding because of factors involving referees. From now on, every time Chelsea encounters Barcelona in the Champions League, it is known as a "Mars Collision with the Earth" game, and every game is bound to be a classic. 05-
In the top 16 draw of the 2006 season, fate even drew the two teams together. The Spanish media unanimously believed that this battle was Barcelona's revenge battle. The first round match was full of strange and suspenseful atmosphere, with each team receiving a penalty.
After the next player, both sides of the battle gave their opponents a magical own goal. Cheetah Eto'o scored the winning goal with a header. Barcelona, with two away goals, returned to the Nou Camp in high spirits, Ronaldinho's
The goal pushed the Blues into the abyss. Lampard's penalty kick in the 90th minute was of no avail. The miracle did not happen in the end. Barcelona successfully avenged Chelsea with a total score of 3:2 in the two rounds. This game became the only victory for the Blues since 2003.
A season without reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.
In the 2006-07 season, Chelsea and Barcelona, the old enemies, met again in the Champions League, but this time it was in the group stage. Chelsea defeated their opponents 1:0 at home and drew with Barcelona 2:2 away, making the latter match
The reason why this game has become a classic is because Drogba tied the score at the last moment and Mourinho knelt down and glided on the grass of Camp Nou. This game is the first chapter of Mourinho's "Conquest History of Camp Nou"
The third game.
In the 2007-08 season, which was the last season when Prince Blitz joined during the winter break, the two teams were not able to meet in the Champions League, which can be regarded as relieving the public's visual fatigue.
And this season, perhaps UEFA hopes to see the passionate collision of the two teams. Therefore, God arranged for the two teams to meet in the semi-finals.
This season, under new coach Pep Guardiola, Barca looked unstoppable, at one stage of the season. They had won 19 of their 20 games, taking 58 points from a possible 60.
Last weekend, they drew 2:2 away with Valencia, followed by a 4-0 home win over Sevilla on Wednesday. Between the first leg and the second leg against the Blues, they will face each other in La Liga
Real Madrid. For that game, they will definitely go all out. No matter from any perspective, they will not give up. Barcelona's schedule is more unfavorable than Chelsea.
Let's look at Barcelona's lineup this season. In terms of value, it is not lower than the luxurious team Chelsea, or even more.
Goalkeeper Valdez, a teammate of the Prince's Spanish national team, and a substitute for Sancassi, but the general idea of most people is that it is better to be good than to be good. Being born in Spain is the biggest tragedy for this bald goalkeeper. Except in Italy and the Czech Republic, he can definitely do it.
Guarding the goal for any national team for more than ten years.
On the back line, Puyol, the golden retriever in his prime, is the spiritual leader of the team. Partnering with him is Argentinian defender Gabriel Milito. Of course, Guardiola is very likely to be in the team.
In the game against Chelsea, the diminutive Argentinian was removed and the tall and muscular Pique came on.
Also sitting on the bench are powerful players such as Mexican captain Marquez and Cáceres, who joined from Huelva last summer. They can fight immediately and can form important partners with Puyol and Milito.
There are Brazilian Alves and the famous liver fighter Abidal on the wings in the backcourt. In addition, former Arsenal player Sylvinho is ready to play at any time, which is also not inferior to Chelsea.
The midfield is probably Barcelona's strongest piece at the moment.
Xavi, the Spanish national team's midfielder and ventilator, is known as the world's best organizing midfielder, but the prince is well aware of his power.
And next to him is Iniesta, who is recognized as the best player in world football. This late generation offensive genius who often attracts more than 4 players to defend him has now matured and demonstrated a superhuman level.
He also had wonderful cooperation with the prince when he was in the national team.
In addition, there are Icelandic midfielder Gudjohnsen and Belarusian dribbler Hleb. They are the main players in any other team, but now they can only wait for opportunities on the bench.
The defensive midfielder includes Busquets, who came from his own youth training. This player who will stand up for Spain in the future has now made his mark in the first team.
However, the main force in the midfield now is Ivorian Yaya Toure. He is Xavi's best assistant with both offense and defense.
In addition, Malian Keita, who later joined the Chinese Super League, can also contribute to the team at any time.
As for the luxurious lineup on the forward line, Chelsea may be a little embarrassed.
Henry, whose performance was not stable last season, has fully recovered under the leadership of new coach Guardiola. He scored 19 goals and contributed 9 assists in the league, and he can vaguely see the shadow of the former king of guns.
Eto'o, one of the best forwards in world football, Cameroon international Eto'o has scored 27 goals in 30 league games this season and has always been Barcelona's most stable scoring point.
Messi needs no introduction. This guy shines like a star in the prince's descendants. He has won four consecutive European Ballon d'Or awards and four consecutive World Footballer Awards. Even the arrogant Portuguese Ronaldo needs to stay away.
And this season is the season when he matures. If he joins the emergence of a prince without a prince, then this season's Mr. Double is in his bag.
In addition, there are young people such as Pedro and Bojan who are produced by their own youth training. Guardiola, who has five forwards, is faced with a happy choice. However, at present, players from La Masia such as Pedro and Bojan are not mature enough.
, they can’t compete with superstars like Henry and Eto’o. They are the future of Barcelona, not the present. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian () to vote for recommendations, monthly votes, and your support.
