Champion's League 2014

[Captain Obvious]

Manuel Pellegrini is confident of advancement he said Barcelona are not the team of two years ago and the way they were humiliated in their champions league last knock out game he has every right to feel confident. All the other group winners should advance to the quarter finals.

[Applesisapples]

Manuel Pellegrini is confident of advancement he said Barcelona are not the team of two years ago and the way they were humiliated in their champions league last knock out game he has every right to feel confident. All the other group winners should advance to the quarter finals.

Last season there was no leadership on the sidelines, Messi was injured and no Neymar. Barca were struggling with the illness to Tito Villanova who would have worked with those players under Pepe. Now whilst Messi is still a doubt Neymar is a class act so I don't see them being the pushover Pellegrini thinks. They are still finding their feet under Tata Martinez and if he loses that one he'll be AVB'd. So an interesting tie but one I'd expect Barca to win.

[EC Unique]

Manuel Pellegrini is confident of advancement he said Barcelona are not the team of two years ago and the way they were humiliated in their champions league last knock out game he has every right to feel confident. All the other group winners should advance to the quarter finals.

Last season there was no leadership on the sidelines, Messi was injured and no Neymar. Barca were struggling with the illness to Tito Villanova who would have worked with those players under Pepe. Now whilst Messi is still a doubt Neymar is a class act so I don't see them being the pushover Pellegrini thinks. They are still finding their feet under Tata Martinez and if he loses that one he'll be AVB'd. So an interesting tie but one I'd expect Barca to win.

What is Messi' injury? will he not be back by Feb?

[Applesisapples]

It appears to be a hamstring tear from reports, I'd say it's a bit more given that he hasn't really been fit from the end of last season. He's due back January, but Barca insist he won't be rushed. That said anything short of a SF and a league win will be the end of Tata. I would say that Barca will come again, the young lad at Everton looks good and they have a number of Spanish under 21's coming through and don't rule out the return of Thiago in the next couple of years. I think though the CL this season is just beyond them without a fully fit Messi.