Riuva : Research Institute for Unicultural Visual Arts

Let’s face it - the Premiership is boring. The real action lies in the Champions League, where the knockout format ensures every goal counts and only 1 team walks away the victor. The stakes are so much higher as well.

Tonight, the most exciting game of the year looms. Will Chelsea be able to overcome the world’s strongest attacking force, Barcelona, at the Nou Camp? Going there 2-1 down from the battle at Stamford Bridge, the Blues will most certainly be expected to attack strongly for the away goals. They’ll need 2 clear goals for victory.

On the other hand, Barca’s philosophy is like Arsenal’s. All out attack. This is where their biggest strength lies and they don’t need to defend much if they are attacking. Last year, this approach led to them being massacred at Stamford Bridge by the Chelsea counterattack brigade of Duff, Gudjohnson and gang. As professionals, you know they’ll try a different strategy this time. But as stubborn Catalans, one suspects they’ll still come out all guns blazing.

Of course, the Catalans hate the Chelsea team and manager. That much is inevitable after the numerous debacles, from Mourinho’s constant heckling, accusations of collaboration between Anders Frisk and Frank Rijkaard, diving from both sides, and very physical play from the London side. But sometimes, a cool mind beats an angry one, and Barca may just be falling into the Portugese manager’s mind traps by letting all the anger go to their heads.

Honestly though, chances that Chelsea will make it through to the quarterfinals are slim. Last year’s battle was so intense, the advantage swinging from side to side like a pendulum on crack. I stood 30 cm from my big screen tv, unable to move. When Chelsea scored 3 in a row, I was practically dancing and shouting. But Ronaldinho’s genius threatened to wreck my day and it was only John Terry’s powerful albeit Cavalho assisted header that made me more estatic than receiving my A level grades.

Let us pray for a blue victory. Btw, I’m a Fulham fan. And since Chelsea are located on Fulham Road, I’ll support them as well since I hate ManUre, Arse and Poo.

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