I think almost every one of us folks on DFO that dig the soccer love FC Barcelona.  There are a lot of reasons for that.  They have an attractive style of play that values passing,  possession,  and attacking.  Their coaching history is filled with innovators and all-around decent dudes. Oh,  and they have the best player in the world in Lionel Messi.

On the negative side,  there is a bit of hypocrisy with their “Més que un club” slogan given that the front office decided to move UNICEF to the back of the shirt and bring sponsors to the front like every other club in the world. The only Barça shirts I own have UNICEF in the front and nothing else.

Combine that with some questionable accounting that’s allowed the team to stockpile talent and you’ve got an identity crisis.  Luckily,  the fútbol has not suffered much.

To the games:

Chelsea v Barcelona

Balls: This year’s team is leading La Liga by 7 points over Atlético Madrid yet it seems something is lacking.  True, Neymar is gone to PSG, but Coutinho has come in, so it’s not talent.  This team is very susceptible to the counterattack.  They have already dropped multiple points to teams utilizing this approach.

How does Chelsea play? Oh. Right.  To be truthful,  most English teams play the counter VERY well.  This spells trouble for Barça.

PREDICCIÓN: I see an early goal on a counter from Chelsea and a struggle for Barça to tie.  Let’s say they do.  Call it 1-1.

King Hippo: I am typing this on the heels of cashing a +2200 bet on Wigan to defeat mighty Man City in the FA Cup.  Also, FUCK Chelski.  Seriously, these guys can just die in a fire already.  Unless they are playing Liverpool, United, or Real Madrid, naturally.  I put money on Barça, and I expect them to come good, and come often all over they backside.

PREDICCIÓN: Barça 3, Chelsea 1.

Wakezilla: Chelski is 3-3 in their last six matches and are expected to play for the nil-nil draw. While Barcelona hasn’t looked all that impressive recently, their playing better lesser footy. As usual, they’re likely going to do the bare minimum to get through to the next round and conserve their energy for the later rounds.

PREDICCIÓN: I’m guessing it will be an uninspiring 1-0 Barcelona win.

Litre_Cola: Hoooo boy. I love me some Barca, and hate me some Chelsea. Did you know that Stamford Bridge isn’t in Chelsea? Right, I have stated that before. Barca is cruising this season, 1st in La Liga, still in the Copa Del Rey, and now hopefully kick the shit out of Chelsea. Messi is the greatest it is really that simple. The wee men that surround and have surrounded him for years are so good in possession that it makes your head spin. At the back Pique is getting older but still an absolute rock, plus you know who his wife is right?  Iniesta and Rakitic are so solid in the middle providing support, and as much as I hate him, the biter Suarez is world class. As for their opponents the West Side London Scumbags, well, I would really like to drink wine and smoke cigarettes with their manager Conte, however it is rumoUred that he is on his way out, but he laughs in your general direction. Eden Hazard too!  Even with Conte’s offensive attitude the Blues really enjoy “parking the bus” and will do so, even if they are playing in Fulham and not on the road.

PREDICCIÓN: Barça 2, Chelsea 0. I too have dealings with GAMBLOR.

Bayern Müenchen v Beşiktaş

Balls: This will probably be a blowout along the lines of what Liverpool did to Porto.  Bayern is a runaway freight train in the Bundesliga and is a serious threat to win the Champions League. The Turkish champions are… not.

PREDICTION: Bayern 5 Beşiktaş 0.

King Hippo: A Turkish Delight this will not be.  Good thing this is not the only game in the window.  Bayern is a Lesser Footy machine in a way that is quintessentially German…

PREDICTION: Bayern 4 Beşiktaş 0.

Wakezilla: This is a fun matchup for me because I have always liked Bayern and I have a soft spot for Beşiktaş. Back when I went on a field school to Turkey, after I finished wandering around the ruins of a Byzantine castle, I decided to walk around the surrounding area. This area was incredibly poor and tough and in hindsight, I’m surprised I wasn’t mugged. Anyway, I ended up at the Beşiktaş training facilities and looked around. It was a fun, random experience that not too many people have experienced.

Bayern might be winning their games, but they look far from being an unbeatable juggernaut. Beşiktaş scored in all their Champions league matches and are honestly better than most people give them credit for.

Prediction: Beşiktaş recently added a Canadian striker on their team named Cyle Larin. He had a great three year stint in the MLS and will likely give Munich’s defense fits. With that said, Bayern’s offense is going to overwhelm Beşiktaş’s defense and Munich will get the 3-2 win.

Litre_Cola: Everyone thinks that the the Germans will kill them. and it will probably happen but I hope not. Here is why. I’ve actually been to a Beşiktaş game with a Turkish buddy I used to work with in Scotland. He’s a huge Beşiktaş supporter and I had a blast at the game. The thing was is that he lived with his husband in Scotland stress free which was great but when they were back in Turkey they barely spoke to each other. Obviously with the way it is there they did not feel safe coming out at the time (2004). The thing that made me more upset was the lads explaining to me that they don’t really talk when they are home because they don’t want their parents getting any ideas. Also they can’t be themselves when they are home so they would rather vacation apart. Also they are who taught me what a ‘bear’ is. The “Black Eagles” (nice) are heavy with Portuguese and Brazilian. They have Wagner Love who I remember being a menace for years in Russia, and they have Pepe. Fuck that guy hard. He is just the biggest fucking asshole in the game. THERE ARE ALSO TWO CANADIANS ON THE TEAM!!!! Attiba Hutchinson, who I have actually heard of, and Cyle Laurin who I have never heard of. I have spoken more about this game than I anticipated.

Prediction: Bayern 1 Beşiktaş 1 YEAH I SAID IT, odds are good for the draw too.