Friday, March 19, 2010

Champions League - Arsenal vs. Barcelona

This Wednesday (March 31st) at 2:45 on the Fox Soccer Channel, or played again later at 5:00 on Fox Soccer Plus, Arsenal will square off against Barcelona for the first time since the 2006 Champions League final. We will update this posting when the final time and date for this Champions League match is announced.

This game will be your chance to watch two teams who play the most entertaining soccer in the world. This match presents an opportunity to observe how some of the greatest players and teams in the world solve problems tactically and technically.

Watch and learn how...

Lionel Messi (Barcelona/forward) attacks on the flanks. Describe what the field looked like in the moments he penetrated wide and the moments he penetrated by cutting inside. What moves were most effective?

Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal/midfielder) controls the tempo of the match. Describe what the field looked like in the moments he penetrated and the moments he possessed. Can you tell whether he is predominantly right or left footed?

Carles Puyol (Barcelona/defender) changes the point of attack for his team. Describe what the field looked like in the moments he switched the field. What surface (laces, inside, outside) did he use the most when he connected with the other backs?

Manuel Almunia (Arsenal/goalkeeper) starts the attack for his team. Describe what the field looked like in the moments he chose to build from the back by distributing via rolling or throwing the ball.

We encourage you to first focus on observing the player that plays the position you predominantly play.

After making your observations, please share them with your coach or with the viewers of this blog by making a 'comment'.

On a different note, while the rest of the world makes hundreds of millions of dollars selling the front of their jerseys as advertising space - - Barcelona made a special choice that stands apart from the rest. To learn more visit www.unicef.org/media/media_35642.html (Futbol club Barcelona , UNICEF team up for children in global partnership)