Demolition Site set at the Camp Nou on Champions League Wednesday as Barcelona host Stuttgart

By Dominic Vieira

Barcelona vs VFB Stuttgart (1-1 Aggregate) 19:45 GMT

Barcelona only need to a 0-0 result to pass to the quarter finals of the Champions League. Do you think that will be the final score? 

Barcelona played poorly in Germany; in fact, they are not playing like champions in the competition. It is time to take is to another level and show the world their real quality and world class. Barcelona are very strong at the Camp Nou and after thrashing Valencia 3-0 on the weekend, they will enter this match with a high morale and confident of outclassing Stuttgart.

Stuttgart is certainly the underdog and will need to have a performance that is truly something special against Barcelona to win the match, but that is not impossible. Unlike the Catalan team, Stuttgart can focus on the Champions League as their hopes of winning the Bundesliga won’t happen this season; this means that they can be fresher and well prepared for the match. If they want to win, the whole team needs to play well together, because one man can’t beat Barcelona. Furthermore, they MUST play without fear.

Both teams will be able to field their strongest teams; the only exception is that Abidal won’t be starting for the defending champions.  Stuttgart will have to watch out for Messi who is in terrific form. Molinaro will have to mark him aggressively and not allow him room to destroy the German defence. If Messi is given space, it is also certain that magic will be created. Accompanying Messi up front to form the deadly trio, are the experienced Henry and Ibrahimovic. Henry also had a good game on the weekend and will also be a constant threat for Celozzi; the same type of defending used on Messi will be needed on him; luckily he is not as fast as he used to be. The Barcelona forwards are clinical and so is the German attack; Cacau and Pogrebnyak are two match winning players. Cacau scored in the first leg and if he is given good chances he will score; he could be the winning man for Stuttgart. It will be interesting to see what talented Khedira will be able to produce on the night and Busquets will have to mark him closely. Finally, Lehmann will be seeking revenge from the red card he received against Barcelona in the 2006 final.

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes, Alves, Puyol ©, Pique, Maxwell; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Ibrahimovic, Henry

Stuttgart (4-4-2): Lehmann; Celozzi, Tasci, Delpierre ©, Molinaro; Gebhart, Kuzmanovic, Khedira, Hleb; Cacau, Pogrebnyak

Prediction: Barcelona 3 – 0 Stuggart, the atmosphere in Camp Nou will be magnificent; Barcelona will be pumped and 100% focused. There is no pressure on their shoulders and they are an intelligent side who will dominate from the first to the last minute. It will be a collective victory and numerous dangerous opportunities will be created. I can’t see Stuttgart getting anything out of this match except experience. But if the Catalans don’t respect them enough on the pitch, who knows what could end up happening. This is a match which can’t be missed!