UCL News
Possession primordial for Barcelona aces
Semi-finalist profile: FC Barcelona dominate possession like no other side but also owe a debt of gratitude to goalkeeper Víctor Valdés as they target their fourth European crown.
FC Barcelona's UEFA Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid CF has the football world agog with excitement, but it is a tie FC Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola would rather have saved until the final.
Not for reasons of grandstanding, nor due to the demands of four Clásico meetings in the space of 18 days – rather, because Guardiola's respect for Madrid coach José Mourinho's tactics and experience is so high. The two men worked together at Barcelona during the reigns of Sir Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal. Just as pertinently, perhaps, it was Mourinho's FC Internazionale Milano who eliminated Barcelona after two epic semi-final contests last year.
Guardiola has also stated twice, since renewing his contract until 2012, that he is "closer to the end than the beginning" of his tenure. So this could be his penultimate chance to lead Barcelona to what would be their fourth European crown.
UEFA club competition honours (runners-up in brackets)
• European Champion Clubs' Cup: 1992, 2006, 2009; (1961), (1986), (1994)
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1979, 1982, 1989, 1997; (1969), (1991)
• UEFA Super Cup: 1992, 1997, 2009; (1979), (1982), (1989), (2006)
Domestic honours (most recent triumph in brackets)
• League title: 20 (2010)
• Spanish Cup: 25 (2009)
Previous European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-finals
11 (won 5, lost 6)
UEFA club ranking
2 (opponents Real Madrid CF are 7th)
Leading scorer
Liga: Lionel Messi, 30
UEFA Champions League: Lionel Messi, 9
Strengths and weaknesses
The instinct to retain possession seems almost programmed into the genetic makeup of a Barcelona player. The Catalan club have seen more of the ball than their opponents in every single match, home and away, since a 4-1 loss to Madrid in May 2008. In terms of individuals, Lionel Messi is the obvious jewel in their crown, the Argentina forward having struck 49 goals for the side in all competitions this term, including nine in ten UEFA Champions League outings. The loss of Éric Abidal with a liver tumour and the three-month injury absence of fellow defender Carles Puyol represent their Achilles heel, however.
Key moment
For all their scintillating creativity and relentless scoring, Barça's presence in the last four owes much to Arsenal FC striker Nicklas Bendtner missing a late chance at Camp Nou which could well have sent the hosts out two rounds ago. Arsenal dispossessed Adriano down the right, Andrey Arshavin fed Jack Wilshere and he picked out Bendtner in the middle, only for a heavy touch from the forward to allow Víctor Valdés to gather the ball. "If Bendtner's control had been better, we would probably have been out," Guardiola reflected.
Unsung hero
It has to be the remarkable Valdés. The Azulgrana press so high up the pitch that many of his saves tend to come from one-on-ones, when the onrushing attacker would usually be expected to score. The 29-year-old's concentration levels need to be extraordinarily high too, given he can often go an hour or more without having to do any serious work – and then suddenly be required to produce split-second reactions. He has conceded just 16 times in his last 21 appearances in the competition and his litany of saves during the quarter-final will probably give FC Shakhtar Donetsk's forwards nightmares for months to come.
Form
League position: 1 (Last five games: DWWWD)
The dominant Spanish team of the last three seasons, Barcelona may finally be paying the price for playing so many high-tempo, high-stakes games at club level, with Guardiola's key men also performing regularly for their national sides as well. They continue to dominate possession yet appear to have lost some cutting edge in front of goal, while a lack of pace at the back has allowed opponents to generate more chances than is customary. Despite them sitting eight points clear in the league, and having a Copa del Rey final against Madrid on Wednesday, there is a suspicion that the Liga leaders may be ever so slightly vulnerable.
Killer stat
In addition to their 137 goals in all competitions this term, Barça's players have also hit the woodwork 26 times.
What their opponents say
Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid player:
Barcelona are good but they are not from another world.