Live Q&As

Well, this is kind of the big question, isn't it?

I'd like to hear what you think -- and why. I'll come back with my prediction a little later.

Lineup questions are on everybody's minds today, aren't they?

Injuries and suspentions seem certain to have a big impact on this match. Last I checked, Barcelona has to replace their central defense and Arsenal has an iffy van Persie (scorer of an impossible goal in the first leg).

It's hard to imagine that there's much you could do to a team, particularly in an important match, more significant than shaking up their starting defense. I'm reading that Abidal and Busquets might step in. Fine players, but Puyol and Pique they ain't.

Here's Barcelona's schedule and results.

It's been interesting reading Wenger's comments ahead of the match. Obviously, he wants to keep Barcelona guessing about how he'll approach things.

I find it hard to believe they'll sit back for 90 minutes. For one, you've got to find out how the defense responds.

For two, Barcelona generally owns the ball under any circumstances. Playing completely defensively would cede it to them for even more time.

But certainly Arsenal will play more conservatively as the match rolls on -- especially if it looks like they'll get the result they want.

Heh. I'm not sure I've earned another vacation so early this year having already been to ... but you don't really care, do you?

I'll say this: Fans, if you love soccer, make it a point of seeing a match -- any match, any level, any stadium -- when you travel overseas. It's a great way to get a taste of local life while watching the Beautiful Game.

I've been to a few games in England, but never a Champions' League match... It's on the list, for sure.

I wish Steve Goff or Paul Tenorio were here to tackle this one. Last I'd read, the match (in July) was pretty darn likely. It would be hard to skip something like that, though I imagine ticket prices would be pretty high.

I'm looking forward to returning to RFK this season to see what should be a pretty interesting United team. And the games actually count!

It's kind of a cliche I suppose -- but I think you're on to something. The first 15-25 minutes of this match should be very telling. If Barcelona scores first, they could spend a lot of the rest of the match "running downhill."

Song isn't available today, so they're going to need to find some other way to try to slow Barcelona's midfield down...

My guess is Barcelona would like to try to open the floodgates today in front of the home crowd.

I did a quick look back at some stats this morning. This season, in Barcelona's victories, they've won by almost three goals on average. To me, that's an astounding number -- and it would put them past Arsenal.

When they lose, they lose by about a goal and a half on average. But that's not an option for them today...

(Arsenal's numbers aren't half bad either. Their average margin of victory is closer to 2.5; their average loss margin is about 1.2.)

Funny, huh?

Conventional wisdom is you don't make the other team's players angry before a game. But maybe Pep's trying some kind of reverse-reverse-reverse psychology.

I like Wilshire. He's a great fit for that team. He could be important today -- and a big game (say, a clinching goal or assist) would make the job pretty easy for the sportswriters!

Wenger's personnel moves are hard to figure -- he has a method, certainly, but it's very much his method. And we're not on daily speaking terms.. 

I imagine that if someone offers funny money for Cesc, Arsenal would have to listen.

But who knows? Let's enjoy today's game, first, and see where things land.

Isn't Old Trafford a great place to visit -- and see a game?

I was lucky enough to see one a few years back (against Leeds, back when Tim Howard and Kenny Cooper were still at Manchester United) courtesy of the family of my friend Brian "The Big Orange Kitty" Morris.

Not only did we catch the week's main event, but we caught a reserve match in Altrincham the night before. It was like $5 and well worth it.

Even more worth it was seeing Jovan Kirovski's name immortalized on a plaque in the stadium.

Heh. OK, so without Song -- who are your picks for picking up the cards? And for what? Professional tackles? Timewasting?

Neutral fans (I am one) would be happy with four goals today -- but here's hoping for a clear winner.

I'm hoping for a big game from Arshavin. He's a fascinating player to watch. He got them the win last time around, and maybe wants to see if he can stick the dagger in the ol' Barcelona back today.

It's certainly an opportunity for someone to become a legend -- of course, there are already loads of legends who will be lining up, whatever happens, in this match...

Yep, they're both out. Very, very tough to replace.

It's up to Arsenal to decide how much pressure they want to try to put Barcelona under. If they go for the throats early, they could really give that defense trouble -- or get burned.

I'd start Arshavin, personally,

Well, I'm 36... so there's one option that's probably off the table.

Are you talking about a top 4 team in England, or a Champions' League semifinalist-type club?

Without getting into too much detail, my impression is that the continued growth of MLS has led to (and will continue to lead to) the development of many, many more players who can be regular starters and key contributors for clubs in the biggest leagues.

We've not had as much luck with superstar types. I couldn't begin to guess when one will hit. But it looks like our current group of young players has a lot of talent in a lot of positions around the field.

I'm eager to see how Coach Thomas Rongen's Under-20 National Team (for players born 1991 and later) does this year.

My gut tells me you're right about Barcelona winning today and getting the result they need. Missing players aside, they are playing at home, they have Messi, they have so much to play for...

But you're probably being a bit hard on Arsenal for this weekend's draw. They got some tough calls (that late offside on Arshavin, for example) and Sunderland is pushover.

That said, they didn't get a win they needed. We'll see how they respond.

Well, we've already discussed the defense (Puyol and Pique out) a few times here. They will almost certainly be missed.

To me, the way you beat a team like Barcelona is you frustrate them.

Keep them off the scoresheet early with some tough defense, throw an early scare or two at them and -- frankly -- hope they start to worry that it just isn't going to happen for them.

If guys like Messi, etc., start throwing their hands up in frustration in the first half if crosses aren't perfect, shots bounce off posts, etc., that will be a good sign for Arsenal.

Whatever the case, if this is close in the final minutes I would expect a crazy, crazy finish.

Umm... Why didn't you ask why I wasn't sent? I've never even been to Spain. It's tragic, I tell you.

Just posting this in case anyone's thinking about a trip.

Generally speaking, if you're thinking of a visit to an overseas club it doesn't hurt to check and see if they have a U.S. fan club. Many do, and they can make purchasing, arrangements, etc., relatively easy.

On the other hand, maybe you're the type who likes to just walk up to a stadium in a strange country and make friends.

The numbers are pretty close. By my count, Barcelona has a played a few more games than Arsenal -- maybe a handful.

Spain does have a cup -- the Copa del Rey. Barcelona has the all-time most titles, but Sevilla won it last year.

Here's the Wikipedia entry.

I love Wiki for getting a quick glance at how soccer is organized (leagues, cups, etc.) in other countries.

Heh. I once watched a Real Madrid-Barcelona game from the hallway leading into Lucky Bar. (Wonder where Matt and Delia are watching the game today...) Yep, they get a good crowd there.