by ivor_the_injun » Thu Feb 22, 2007 4:06 pm
A phenomenal result. Those 2 away goals give us a nice bit of breathing space, but to be honest I think we may still need to score at least 1 at home.
What I don't want to see in the return leg is a negative formation asking Barca to come at us. If Rafa does that, it'll be absolute suicide. You can do that in the last 10 minutes of a Prem match against Man City, but you don't do that against a team with the attacking quality of the European Champions.
I think it'll be an occasion tailor made for Crouch, and assuming Sissoko's fit I won't be surprised to see us start a 5 man midfield. I just hope it's a 5 man midfield set up to attack as opposed to defend.
I think Bellamy should start, but I wonder if using him as an outlet on the left is worth looking at. Looking at the job Riise did out there last night, I think Bellamy could have an absolute field day on the break. Plus there's the added bonus of rejigging to 4-4-2 without bringing subs into play if the situation calls for it.
So, I reckon...
Reina
Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa/
Aurelio
Gerrard Sissoko Alonso
Pennant Bellamy
Crouch
Bench: Dudek, Kuyt, Fowler, Riise, Hyypia, Mascherano, Arbeloa/Aurelio