Should Mata play vs Barca

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Mata should play (can't even believe we're discussing Kalou over Mata), but ideally he should be rested for it, but since we play against bumfuckers before, I can't see that happening. He's visibly fatigued, how many games this season has he not played in at all? Has he ever not been included in match day squad?

I think he only missed two mikey mouse cup games against fulham and everton at the start of the season. But I could be mistaken.

[Kajo 176]

Mata is very skillfull player and he's similar to Barcelona players because of technique, creativity, passing etc. I would love to see him instead of Meireles in the middle becuase he would be perfect guy to throw the balls on the wings where Sturridge and Ramires should play because they got great pace.

Cech

Ivanović Cahill Terry Cole

Mikel Lampard

Mata

Sturridge Drogba Ramires

[francozola 2,040]

Can't afford to just park the bus for 90mins. It may have worked yesterday but it wasn't as if we limited their chances. On a normal day they would have scored 2 or 3 at least.

Nou Camp is going to be very different indeed. Bigger pitch, intimidating atmosphere. They know they have to go for it so they'll come out all guns blazing. If we park the bus without any other plan it will just be onslaught after onslaught. One mistake and they score. Thankfully we didn't make any mistakes yesterday. Everyone did all they could. Can't rely on that + luck again

Exact same team as yesterday for me.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

Definitely Mata. He might find more space on the larger Camp Nou pitch and thus might be more effective when he gets the ball. Also he is clever enough to not lose the ball running down blind alleys, ala Kalou, we cant afford to lose possession cheaply at the Camp Nou because having it will be so rare.

It's not as if he negated his defensive duties in the first leg, he did a fine job covering space but never got the ball enough to have an impact on the game. If the chance comes and Drogba is making a run, Id rather it be Mata passing him the ball than Kalou.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Just for the record, the pitch at camp nou is hardly ana larger than Stamfprd bridge:

Stamford Bridge: 103 x 67 metres

Camp Nou: 105 × 68 meters

[Santiago. 1,500]

Does Mata need to play? Yes, no doubt in my mind with the width the Nou Camp has to offer. On the other hand, we cannot allow Barca to have an easy task to keep the ball and attack us for 90 minutes, that is why i am desperately and hoping and begging RDM to start Torres up top leaving Drogba to drop down and defend. Torres is known for attacking the defense when the opponents have the ball and it would be excellent benefit if we started him rather than allow Barca to go all over us like the first leg. I am hoping this is the formation and lineup we will see...

-----------------Torres---------------

-----------------------------------------

-----------------Drogba--------------

---Ramires----------------------Mata

--------Lampard-------Mikel----------

A.Cole--------------------------Ivanovic

------------J.Terry------Cahill----------

--------------------Cech-------------------

[Zok 18]

Will Villa be back for the next game?

[English Freak 456]

Will Villa be back for the next game?

Villa is still recovering from injury, he'll most likely be back 1st week of May.

I'm expecting to see Pique playing in the return leg.