Barcelona V Real Madrid - Predictions For 180 Minutes.

I can't wait for the match tonight. Two great teams (well, one in particular) and two of the best managers in world football. The managers have started a war of words and Jose usually doesn't lose too many of those but the real match will be on the pitch.

If you'd asked me two weeks ago, I'd have had Barcelona winning 5-2 over the two legs but I think Jose has learned a lot over the last two games, not to mention the psychological advantage of having won the Copa (or Ceepee's Plato) Del Rey.

If it's completely down to psychology, I think Real will win but hopefully pure football and Barcelona will win through. I'll go for 4-3 to Barca over the two legs.

Not bothered, so long as the winners rip MUFC a new one in Wembley

TarfHead said:

Not bothered, so long as the winners rip MUFC a new one in Wembley

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I'd settle for that too, Tarfhead, but, even if only for my old friend Ronaldo's sake, I hope it's Barca. They're as close as we'll ever get to the complete team.

Iniesta is out for Barca & I believe they have central defence problems as well & I think Real may squeak by tonight but hopefully Barca will triumph over both legs.

Visca el Barca.

Deiseblue said:

Iniesta is out for Barca & I believe they have central defence problems as well & I think Real may squeak by tonight but hopefully Barca will triumph over both legs.

Visca el Barca.

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Hi Deise. Is Puyol playing?

Hopefully Real get through

I just can't like Barca for some reason - I think it's the way everyone wets themselves when they play.

DB74 said:

Hopefully Real get through

I just can't like Barca for some reason - I think it's the way everyone wets themselves when they play.

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Maybe that's to do with the mouth-watering football they play, DB...............

Real seem to be learning more from each encounter with FCB. The physical approach they took in the Copa final will surely be maintained in the CL SF games. The next time Villa sees Arbeloa and Ramos heading for him he'll have a flashback to the brutality they visited on him last week. In such moments of doubt, Real have an advantage.

Also, FCB seem to be running out of momentum.

TarfHead said:

Real seem to be learning more from each encounter with FCB. The physical approach they took in the Copa final will surely be maintained in the CL SF games. The next time Villa sees Arbeloa and Ramos heading for him he'll have a flashback to the brutality they visited on him last week. In such moments of doubt, Real have an advantage.

Also, FCB seem to be running out of momentum.

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That concerns me as well but I had put it dowm to tiredness.

Lex Foutish said:

Hi Deise. Is Puyol playing?

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Apparently not fully fit but may be asked to fill in at left full as Maxwell is injured , Mascherano or Busquets may play in central defence.

Should be interesting to see the team sheets.

Would most definitely agree with you about Barca - probably the most inventive side I've seen.

If Real Madrid can come away with a win tonight then I think they will do it by holding Barca to 0-0 in the Nou Camp in the 2nd leg but if Barca get a score draw or a win tonight meaning Real have to attack them in the 2nd leg then Barca will make the final.

1-0 Madrid tonight is my prediction.

Ha ha, the ABUs are lining up for their last remaining shot at gloating over United this season by siding with the two most successful and highest salaried sports teams in the world.

ivuernis said:

Ha ha, the ABUs are lining up for their last remaining shot at gloating over United this season by siding with the two most successful and highest salaried sports teams in the world.

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Well, Ivuernis, I'm proud to say that Leeds United aren't on the list so I can hold my head up high!

And, a Leeds fan an ABU? Never!!!

My username will probably give away my allegiances, but I just hope we get a good game of football or two.

They are undoubtedly 2 excellent sides, not 1. Can't understand those who think that Madrid play poor football. OK so they had to get tactical in the last 2 games v Barca, but that was because they took a 5-0 beating earlier in the season. It shows that Jose learned from this mistake and is tactically a top manager. But excluding the last 2 games, Madrid have been excellent to watch all season. Anyone see them win 6-3 away to Valencia with their second string team last week?

Personally I think Barca will edge the semi. They did not play to their best over the last 2 Clasico's, and I think they have something left in the tank to edge Madrid. Of course I would love to see Madrid do it, and see Ronaldo play against Utd at Wembley.

They are two of the best footballing sides around at present, but as often happens in football, when teams like this meet, they cancel each other out.

Carvalho will be a big loss for Madrid, more so than Iniesta for Barca. Puyol is fit again for Barca I think. Madrid need Carvalho at the centre, and Pepe's fantastic performances in midfield will be missed if he has to move back to centre half, cos Diarra will be chasing Xavi and Busquets all night without much success.

As a Manchester City and Atletico Madrid fan I'm hoping Barca go all the way!

I do think that Real Madrid will win tonight but only 1-0. Barca will then win by a couple at home.

Tough one to call. Barca to edge it by a single goal over the 2 legs I reckon. Once United don't win it, that is all!

Barca to put manners on Mourinho. 3-1 tonight with Messi getting two and Villa scoring the third. Ronaldo to score one after shooting 545 times

Mourinho is great though. Is there anyone in Italy and Spain that he hasn't fallen out with?

I don't care who wins as long as it's attritional on both sides, preferably with a few suspensions thrown in for good measure. A season of modest expectation for United fans is shaping up to be a great one. Closing in on title #19 and a 3rd Champions League final in 4 years. Bring on the hate ;-)

DB74 said:

Hopefully Real get through

I just can't like Barca for some reason - I think it's the way everyone wets themselves when they play.

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+1

I actually like Barca, love it when they're in full flow, but I'm sick of the view that there is only one way to play football and that Barca are the true footballing team. It's like teams are committing a cardinal sin when they try and defend or block the midfield, don't they know they should just sit back and let Barca roll them over?

Latrade said:

+1

I actually like Barca, love it when they're in full flow, but I'm sick of the view that there is only one way to play football and that Barca are the true footballing team. It's like teams are committing a cardinal sin when they try and defend or block the midfield, don't they know they should just sit back and let Barca roll them over?

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+1

Of course I will be accused of bias, but recently the whole Barca hype has started to get annoying.

Of course they can be great and majestic to watch at times, but watching them most weeks I can see that they have their bad points too. They have their fair share of divers and cheaters like all other teams, plus they love a good moan at the refs too. The last couple of games saw Xavi and Iniesta do this a lot, simply because Pepe would not sit back and let them tippy tap around like most other midfielders who just let them play.

I have always liked JM too, even before coming to Madrid. He's a character and I think it would be great to see him knock out Barca in this CL.