Barcelona v Arsenal – UEFA Champions League: How injuries can harm both the teams? -Part 2
After losing the first tie at the Emirates stadium against Arsenal, Barcelona have an uphill task to perform at their home turf on 8th of March, 2011, especially given the absence of their first choice central defensive partnership. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Pique
and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Busquets-c33048.
Busquets played at the center of Barcelona’s defence against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 as well, and the young Spanish midfielder has the physical presence and the technique to fill in for Pique at the back. What Barcelona is really going to miss, is Puyol’s experienced and
determination at the back.
Spain’s captain at the World Cup has been impervious for Barcelona over the past few years, and as admitted by Xavi in his interview to the British media on the eve of the first leg at Emirates stadium, Puyol might not be the world’s greatest dribbler but
his defensive skills are second to none.
Additionally, Barcelona can also be hurt by Sergio Busquets’ relative inexperience at the back. Admittedly, the Spanish defensive midfielder is a wonderful talent when he plays in the center of the park alongside Xavi and Iniesta, but playing in central
defence requires acumen when it comes to reading the game as a whole - a task that Pique excelled at for the Spanish giants.
For Arsenal, the injury to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749, Walcott is hailed as a true speed gun, a title that fits the English forward.
Walcott’s direct running was a cause for concern for Barcelona last season when the Catalan giants drew two all against Arsenal in the first leg at Emirates stadium. This time around, in the first leg Arsenal used Walcott to stretch the field and exploit Maxwell’s
lack of pace on Barcelona’s left flank.
In Wenger’s 4-2-3-1 system, which was used at the Emirates stadium in February, Walcott played a crucial role as he linked with the likes of Cesc Fabregas and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Samir-Nasri-c32360 on the far side. Little attention has been paid
to Alexander Song thus far in Arsenal’s 2010-2011 season. The Cameroonian midfielder played an integral role as Arsenal’s second defensive midfielder in their 2-1 win over Barcelona at Emirates in the last leg of the encounter in question.
Song’s form and his overall development as a player has really been a revelation for the Gunners this season, he did a masterful job on Xavi in the first leg and his absence will surely be felt by the visitors when they take the field on Tuesday night. Song
will most likely be replaced by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jack-Wilshere-c17463 when needed. However, it should be noted that Diaby has not seen a
lot of first team action this season as his time with Arsenal has been plagued with injuries more often than not.
It is truly set up for an interesting footballing spectacle as Barcelona host Arsenal for the second leg. Barcelona needs to win at all costs to secure their progression to the final eight of the UEFA Champions League whereas, Arsenal will easily go through
if the final result is a draw.
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