Ronaldinho has once again been left out of the squad for tomorrow afternoon’s game at home to Valladolid (kick off 5pm Spanish time). The official version is that he is still suffering discomfort in the adductor muscle in his right leg, but no doubt there will be many questions asked about the truth of this. Gabi Milito misses the game through suspension and three players from Barça B, Victor Sánchez, Victor Vázquez and Pedrito have again been included in the squad.
Valladolid will have to reorganise in defence as they will be without their two first choice central defenders Garcia Calvo and Iñaki Bea, but apart from that they should be at full strength. They have only won one of their last eight games and are currently 17th in the table with 32 points. However, they are capable of an upset as they have proved this season by winning four away games at Espanyol, Getafe, Murcia and Zaragoza. Barça will have to be careful with Joseba Llorente who has twelve league goals to his name this season including one against Barça in the 1-1 draw at the Jose Zorrilla stadium earlier in the season.
After the disappointment of the cup defeat at Valencia Barça could seriously do with a good result tomorrow, especially if Valencia can take something from their game against Real Madrid. If the difference with Madrid were reduced again, we could still be in for a thrilling end to the season despite the recent poor run. With Milito out, Lilian Thuram will return to the team alongside Puyol. With so few players available it is unlikely that any player will be punished for the poor game against Valencia, though there could be a return for Thierry Henry, while Toure may get a deserved rest.
Barça’s 18-man squad: Valdés, Pinto, Puyol, Zambrotta, Thuram, Sylvinho, Abidal, Xavi, Toure, Iniesta, Edmilson, Gudjohnsen, Víctor Sánchez, Eto’o, Henry, Bojan, Pedrito, Víctor Vázquez.
Possible starting XI: Valdés; Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Abidal; Xavi, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen; Bojan, Eto’o, Henry.
My Prediction: Barça 3 Valladolid 1 (Please send your predictions)
20 responses so far ↓
Barca 4 lyf // Mar 22, 2008 at 21:00
3-1 to Barca!
layi // Mar 22, 2008 at 21:23
don’t know, i just pray nowadays
Blaugrana // Mar 22, 2008 at 21:36
2-1 to barça
Taras // Mar 22, 2008 at 21:40
3-1 to Barca.
Catherine-Lucia // Mar 22, 2008 at 22:17
2-1 to Barcelona. Or maybe 3 in the eightieth-minute range. Scoring by Eto’o, Bojan and Llorente.
FCB // Mar 22, 2008 at 22:42
3-0 barca
Speeka // Mar 22, 2008 at 23:28
2-1
Youssef Gazia // Mar 22, 2008 at 23:38
7-0!
FCB - Canada // Mar 23, 2008 at 2:46
Hmm what’s up with Ronnie? 3 games in a row now? Is there a story behind this and is he being disciplined for something? Seems kinda fishy considering there were no noticable injuries in the games leading up to him not playing. Just saying… Anyways if they don’t win/play well the fans will crucify them on the field so I predict 4-0 Barca.
Blaugrana // Mar 23, 2008 at 5:33
I just saw a review of schalke i was wrong this is far from an easy team they hardworkin horses,we nid our socks up against them otherwise
dayib-sm // Mar 23, 2008 at 7:31
4-0
BARCA 4 LYF // Mar 23, 2008 at 10:45
http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada07-08/03/n080322101896.html. this article says that Ronnie has probloems with his abductor in his leg so he can’t play!
Mike M // Mar 23, 2008 at 11:59
Hope that Barca play well to boost the morale of fans and player alike, I just hope Vldes and the defence don’t make any mistakes, a clean sheet will be extremely nice.
3-0 to Barca
Nic // Mar 23, 2008 at 12:01
BARCA 4 LYF - In the Spanish articles they say it is the adductor, I think it is a bad translation, but hey, abductor, adductor, it all means the same in the end. Some of the press say he just only wants to avoid facing the public today, I say they are a bunch of stirring bastards who are basically encouraging supporters to boo the team today.
Anyway, if anyone is interested in anatomy here’s a link telling you about the difference between these muscles - http://www.bartleby.com/64/C004/001.html
Dr.Osmo // Mar 23, 2008 at 14:27
My Prediction: Barça 4 Valladolid 0
Nic // Mar 23, 2008 at 16:24
Team announced for today:
Valdés; Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Sylvinho; Xavi, Toure, Iniesta; Bojan, Eto’o, Henry.
Shakalero // Mar 23, 2008 at 18:00
Is 1-1 at the Half, with Barca playing a poor football. It doesn’t matter that the penalty never existed. I’m watching GolTv here in the US, and they are saying that if Barca doesn’t win. Rijkaard quits. If that’s true. he’s 45 minutes away from saying goodbye. We will have to say goodbye also to the league. I hope they change their ways after the Half.
Barca 4 lyf // Mar 23, 2008 at 19:13
Bojan was awesome! Barca 4-1 Valladolid!
Taras // Mar 23, 2008 at 19:17
My prediction was almost right!!! If only Bojan didn’t score twice!
Dr.Osmo // Mar 23, 2008 at 19:30
Can I see Bojan’s goals ?
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