Champions League Betting: Barcelona are their own biggest problem

Champions League / Alsy / 23 April 2008 / Leave a Comment

Morgan in the driving seat - Allsy tells us why most of Barcelona's problems are of their own making and why all things considered, the draw is the best bet on offer tonight as Wayne Rooney and friends come to town

When asked about Barcelona's prospects against Manchester United Samuel Eto'o had quite a bit to say. That's little surprise as Eto'o can shoot from the lip as sharply as he does in-and-around the box but one comment resonated with me, "We are our own biggest problem".

Man-for-man Barcelona should fear no team so can anyone explain how a team, constructed to conquer Europe, are cast as underdogs in a Champions League semi-final?

Barcelona have a squad bursting with talent. In Ronaldinho, Messi and Eto'o they have three attackers with differing styles but similar levels of creative genius. They also have boy-wonders Bojan and Giovanni as well as a certain French striker named Henry.

Therein lies Frank Rijkaard's central problem as eleven starting berths cannot hope to accommodate so much attacking talent. The plan was to sweep all aside courtesy of the 'Fantastic Four' consisting of Ronaldinho, Henry, Eto'o and Messi but injury, loss of form and perpetual in-fighting obliged Rijkaard to revise his plans.

Barcelona are currently third in La Liga which, at this late stage, should trigger a change of manager but as long as their stuttering Champions League campaign limps towards Moscow Rijkaard will remain at the helm. Barcelona deserve credit for reaching this stage but the general feeling (also prevalent in Spain) is that they are a dysfunctional team struggling for consistency.

Manchester and Barcelona drew at the weekend but the point they both gained were vastly different in context. Drawing 1-1 Manchester rescued a vital point against a resilient Blackburn reaffirming a desire to shape their own destiny via hard work and team spirit. Barcelona drew 0-0 with Espanyol in the Catalan derby but exited the pitch to the all-too-familiar sight of white handkerchiefs. It was yet another home game bereft of quality finishing and creative ideas.

A singular ray of sunshine for Barcelona fans is 20-year-old Lionel Messi and the Argentinean will be the main threat to United Wednesday night. Rijkaard is likely to post Bojan on the left and Messi on the right with Eto'o in a central striking position. In midfield Iniesta has the skill and pace to dictate Barcelona attacks while the experienced Marquez will replace the suspended Puyol at centre back.

Manchester travel to Nou Camp full of confidence and with good reason. After dispatching Roma with such ease the presence of 100,000 Catalans will not necessarily unnerve them.

Ferguson knows that if his team can weather an early storm the crowd might offer some assistance by piling pressure on the home side. Tight defending will be key so expect Hargreaves to feature instead of Carrick - if United can keep a clean sheet the return leg will be approached in a bullish mood.

With the formidable talents of Scholes, Tevez and Ronaldo, United should score against a team who have conceded four goals in their last five home matches (twelve in their last five away games) but Rooney needs to improve his schizophrenic finishing and cool his combustible temper.

United's weakness is at the back where they have plenty of muscle but not too much technique. Under pressure Brown and Vidic can be made to make mistakes so Rijkaard will look to turn United's back line with attacks down both flanks.

You can back Barcelona to win at [2.86], Manchester are at [3.1] but I favour the draw at [3.2]. United have too much quality going forward and I expect Barcelona's Milito and Marquez to crumble at some stage. While Barcelona may not be in a rich vein of form they undoubtedly have plenty of match-winners. Henry and Deco should start on the bench (Ronaldinho will watch the game in Coventry if Rijkaard has his way) but I expect them to feature if United hold firm in defence.

I foresee an open game and plenty of half-chances but all-in-all I'd back a 1-1 draw at [7.0].