A FOOTBALL team’s success, like the genius of its coach, can hang on small details. When Chelsea faced Barcelona at the Camp Nou last week, Samuel Eto’o missed, Alexander Hleb missed and Bojan Krkic missed. But perhaps the most significant piece of fortune to fall Chelsea’s way came in the 52nd minute when Rafael Marquez hit the floor, a damaged knee ligament ruling him out for the rest of the season.
As he was carried off, Carles Puyol sprinted on. Puyol, like the equally volatile Dani Alves, was a yellow card away from a suspension, his surprise omission born of Pep Guardiola’s fear of travelling to Stamford Bridge with no right-back. Instead, the gaping hole is in the middle of the Barcelona defence. Alves escaped; Puyol did not.
Gerard Pique is the only trusted centre-back available tonight. The good news is that the former Manchester United defender is in the form of his life, the “New Kaiser” dubbed “Piquenbauer” by one newspaper.
Gabriel Milito has missed the entire season, Marquez is out and Puyol suspended. Only a handful of promoted youth-teamers have played fewer minutes than the other central defender in the squad, the €18 million summer signing from Villarreal, Martin Caceres.
Pique insists: “Martin has proven himself when he’s played,” but few agree and Guardiola is contemplating alternatives: Eric Abidal moving from left-back to centre-back with Sylvinho replacing him on the flank; Yaya Toure as a makeshift centre-back; Sergi Busquets as an emergency defender.
Against Chelsea, it is a particular concern. Barcelona have Spain’s best defensive record, built on their domination of possession. But win the ball, however momentarily, and their defence is vulnerable. Set plays and aerial deliveries trouble them. They have little presence in the air and a goalkeeper, Victor Valdes, who does not dominate his area. The two goals Real Madrid scored in the 6-2 defeat on Saturday were the perfect portrait: simple, free headers just yards from goal.
Without Puyol and Marquez the weakness is exacerbated. Marquez offers know-how and aerial power. Puyol offers intensity, leadership and concentration. Pique recalls his captain screaming at him to focus. He pointed at an injured opponent and responded: “But they’re carrying him off on a stretcher.” Puyol barked back: “Then, let them, but don’t you lose focus.” Pique grins: “It’s impossible to drift with Carles there.”
This time, Carles will not be there. Pique will lead the defence against a team whose strengths mirror Barcelona’s weaknesses. Chelsea need not have much possession; a solitary dead ball could suffice. “We’ve worked on ways of stopping them scoring; it makes no difference if they play with one or two up front,” Pique says. “It’s vital not to concede free-kicks and corners. Drogba and Anelka are very complete and good in the air, Ivanovic is strong on set-plays and Essien is pure power.”
Pique’s English experience may help. He says he returned from Manchester a “more mature” player. “United taught me to defend without the ball and to use my body,” he says. “It is not enough just to be taller than other players.”
Despite the time he spent in Manchester, he remained stubbornly Spanish, a Barca player longing to return.
A goalscorer at the Bernabeu, it is his ability on the ball that sets him apart, earning him an international call-up – and an international goal – at 22. The commitment to attack remains, even for a defender.
“It would be foolish to play for a draw; you inevitably end up losing. Chelsea will have to open up and we’ll be as brave as at the Bernabeu,” he says. “At no other team does the centre-back attack like we do here. Elsewhere, it’s enough for a defender to win the ball and be strong in the air. Here, they demand more.”
Perhaps not at Stamford Bridge tonight. With a European Cup final 90 minutes away and a makeshift defence, just stopping Chelsea will be enough.
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