The Barcelona attack is generally the headline grabber, but in order to neutralize the threat from the front if will be up to Chelsea to upset the source. This will mean that two important things need to be done: Drogba is going to have to work his socks off up front, constantly applying pressure on the Barcelona centre-halfs. It is these two players who initiate almost every Barcelona attack, and so if they can be got at then the supply to the midfield and forward line will be much more volatile than it usually is. Whether or not just one striker can apply sufficient pressure on two players is debatable, but I think it's safe to say that Hiddink won't be employing two up top so it will be down to Drogba alone to settle the debate.
The other similar thing that needs to be done from a Chelsea point of view is to mark Xavi out of the game - something that has been done already this season to great effect. It is no easy task, but a player like Michael Essien could well be up for the challenge. Barcelona's m.o. is to knock it around at the back until Xavi is in position, and then feed him. To disrupt this operation is to strike at the heart of Barcelona's game. It's not a sufficient condition for beating them, but it is most certainly a necessary one. Marquez may not be a great defender, but he is an excellent distributor of the ball, both short and long. This is generally not mentioned when it comes to talking about Barcelona's defense, but given how much ball possession they enojoy it is arguable that it is more important for a Barca defender to be a good passer than a good tackler or headerer [?] of the ball. Therefore task 1: Stop Marquez (and to a lesser extent, his partner) from doing what they want with the ball. Task 2: Pratically give Xavi a piggy-back ride for 90 minutes.
There are problems implimenting this strategy of course, none more so than the presence of Iniesta on the pitch. I sincerely doubt both Lampard and Ballack's ability to shut him out. Toure and Iniesta together will be able to initiate enough attacks should Xavi be "raped" by Essien, and so there is only so much Chelsea can do with hard work. A player like Iniesta is extremely difficult to mark. He has a rather unique blend of excellent close control, dribbling technique, speed, and vision. Barcelona will depend on him a lot, and Chelsea don't seem to have a say in the matter. Can Iniesta produce on the night? His outstanding form this season suggests he can, and so it will be intriguing to watch.
The other similar thing that needs to be done from a Chelsea point of view is to mark Xavi out of the game - something that has been done already this season to great effect. It is no easy task, but a player like Michael Essien could well be up for the challenge. Barcelona's m.o. is to knock it around at the back until Xavi is in position, and then feed him. To disrupt this operation is to strike at the heart of Barcelona's game. It's not a sufficient condition for beating them, but it is most certainly a necessary one. Marquez may not be a great defender, but he is an excellent distributor of the ball, both short and long. This is generally not mentioned when it comes to talking about Barcelona's defense, but given how much ball possession they enojoy it is arguable that it is more important for a Barca defender to be a good passer than a good tackler or headerer [?] of the ball. Therefore task 1: Stop Marquez (and to a lesser extent, his partner) from doing what they want with the ball. Task 2: Pratically give Xavi a piggy-back ride for 90 minutes.
There are problems implimenting this strategy of course, none more so than the presence of Iniesta on the pitch. I sincerely doubt both Lampard and Ballack's ability to shut him out. Toure and Iniesta together will be able to initiate enough attacks should Xavi be "raped" by Essien, and so there is only so much Chelsea can do with hard work. A player like Iniesta is extremely difficult to mark. He has a rather unique blend of excellent close control, dribbling technique, speed, and vision. Barcelona will depend on him a lot, and Chelsea don't seem to have a say in the matter. Can Iniesta produce on the night? His outstanding form this season suggests he can, and so it will be intriguing to watch.
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