Pazzo's absence is a definite blow for us. We would have to shift and play with KPB as a CF. The thing we will be missing is the physical presence upfront, someone our midfielders can play off of and bring into play the team as a whole. I believe that is what we will lack in a CL knockout.

But I agree, our midfield and defense have to be up to par if we are to sustain what Barca will throw at us.

I think last year's Robinho would be perfect for this game, always coming back to counter, hold possession, make chalanging runs....
Don't forget he has probably played agaisnt Barca more then any other player in our squad...
just thinking out loud, i would REALLY want Boatang in MF playing as flase 9 for this one to have him come deep and hopefully only have 2 forwards El Sharaawy + Bojan/Robi/Niang shoot wide when he'd run up.

Have you seen Robinho play this season, especially in the last few months? Embarrassingly out of shape. He couldn't cut it against a Serie B team (Reggina), how do you think he would fare against Barça?

... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif)

I wasn't really talking about his importance in an attacking sense that much in this case. His importance in terms of defensive work is what we'll desperately miss. He knows how to bring a ball down and hold it up, was a constant nuisence to Pique/Puyol in aerial challenges (in fact he won most of them), ran the ball down very well to take some pressure off players, etc.

Now who do we have that can actually do that?

Niang is such an immature brat, I don't trust him here, and I can't see him putting in the type of work and effort required. And Bojan is too small statured to carry out the hold up play required or to povide a physical challenge for Pique and Puyol, he's basically a replica of what they deal with in training day in day out...

For me, I believe we have 3 optons that Allegri could choose from

1) He can go with the exact same line-up he did in the first leg and just switch Niang in for Pazzo in a like for like change, but as I said above Niang is really not that much of a smart choice imo
2) He can play and extra mid instead and play SES upfront. Give him a free role and when the opportunity to counter presents itself let him run at people, I'm sure Pique/Puyol/Alves will f@ck up at some point and he can get in behind
3) Play Bojan instead but switch him to the wing and move Prince to the center. The problem with this is that Bojan can't really pull off a defensive shift like Prince on that wing

I think Allegri will go for the first option

Why not play SES for Pazzini and Bojan on the wing?

But SES's tracking back is vital and especially on that left side where Muntari could potentially be.

Personally I'm not a huge fan of playing Bojan in this one as I can't see him putting in a defensive performance, he can try, but I don't think he can achieve what's required here because he's simply not built for that type of game, just like his Barca counterparts.

I think it would be smarter to lump in an extra midfielder imo just pack that midfield up. We have Nocerino and Flamini available here to we can go for a 4-5-1 type thing with 5 straight across when we're defending and when we break Prince, SES and Flamini/Nocerino can go up in attack

Indeed, SES provides more defensive stability. Still, I'd rather we stick to our general game-plan. Even if it is Niang to play a starter.

Nah man, Monto will be on the left, with Ambro and Flamini completing the midfield three. I'll be damned if Allegri plays Muntari in this one.



+1

The ref will be Viktor Kassai from Hungary. Both teams have good memories from him: our 4-0 vs Arsenal last year and 2011 CL final vs United for them.

He's considered one of the best refs in the world right now. Here's to hoping he doesn't mess things up.

Probable line up (gazzetta): Abbiati; Abate, Zapata, Mexes, De Sciglio; Montolivo, Ambrosini, Flamini; Niang, Boateng, El Shaarawy.

Yeah, I believe KPB as a false CF is what we will go with upfront.

That's a terrible waste IMO.

Can't argue with that team tbh.

Boateng will be the fulcrum in the hole again, with full freedom. Niang (imo) works hard on the right and is perfect in the pseudo wing back role he's been in recently, even if his dribbling needs work.

And assuming Max gets the tactics right again, and the team wants to work like a dog, then we'll hold out.

We WILL almost certainly lose on the night as it's not often a side goes to Camp Nou and doesn't lose in the CL - Kazan was the last one I remember to win there. But as long as we work stupidly hard I think the selection is perfect.

For all I support Muntari, Flamini is a better DM - just a pity he seems to be playing as a CM-cum AM these days!?

What's the word on Constant's absence?