Ronaldinho Gaucho has been left out of the 16-man squad for tomorrow night’s Copa del Rey semi final second leg despite declaring a willingness to play whether he was 100% fit or not. Ronaldinho was criticized in the press this week when doctors claimed he was not injured after he dropped out of a training session claiming he felt a slight pain. Toure Yaya, however, has been included for the game despite his back problems. He should be applauded for his commitment to the team.
Valencia need a win to save a season that has gone from bad to worse. Since gaining a creditable 1-1 draw in the first leg at Camp Nou, they have lost 2-0 at Espanyol, drawn 2-2 at home to Deportivo and last Saturday they lost 1-2 at home to Sevilla. Their problems were highlighted by their president Juan Soler leaving the club last week. Coach Ronald Koeman has all his most important players available for the game except for Vicente who is injured.
As well as Toure, Barça also have Zambrotta back after suspension which should mean Puyol moves back to central defence at the expense of Thuram. Sylvinho may get a chance after Abidal was blamed for both Almeria’s goals, and Toure will probably play in place of Edmilson. Thierry Henry, who has performed well in the cup, may get a chance to return in attack. Messi, Deco, Giovani, Marquez and Jorquera are all still out injured while Oleguer Presas has been left out after taking a knock on the same finger that has kept him out for the last month. Santi Ezquerro is fit again but has not been included for technical reasons.
This match is extremely important as it could end up being the turning point of the season. After last year’s debacle against Getafe in the cup it would be great to be in another final. Barça need to win or gain a high scoring draw as away goals count after 90 minutes. Scoring twice will almost certainly be the key to getting through. In December Barça won 0-3 in Mestalla, but I imagine things will be a bit tougher tomorrow evening.
Valencia have named the following 18 for the match, of which two will be left out before the start: Hildebrand, Mora, Caneira, Miguel, Helguera, Marchena, Albiol, Moretti, Edu, Mata, Joaquín, Banega, Maduro, Baraja, Arizmendi, Silva, Morientes, Villa.
Barça’s sixteen: Valdés, Pinto, Zambrotta, Puyol, Thuram, Milito, Abidal, Sylvinho, Edmilson, Toure, Xavi, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen, Bojan, Eto’o, Henry.
Possible starting XI: Valdés, Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Sylvinho, Xavi, Toure, Iniesta, Bojan, Eto’o, Henry.
My prediction: Valencia 0 Barça 2
33 responses so far ↓
John // Mar 19, 2008 at 17:34
Nic,
Has any 0f this come out in the press in spain…
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11827_3316412,00.html
Are the press in spain saying the same things?
Taras // Mar 19, 2008 at 17:52
I think Barca 3- 2 Valencia.
Nic // Mar 19, 2008 at 18:30
John - There is nothing in the Spanish press. The rumours about Ronaldinho however are constant, I’ve learned to ignore them as they are never proven. The quote about Robinho from Graham Hunter shows pretty poor journalism as the Robinho party incident happened this season when Schuster, not Capello, was in charge. It was before they lost to Espanyol in October. The most important thing to remember is that Skysports talk a lot of rubbish, it was them that started the ridiculous story last year that Barça were going to swap Eto’o for Henry AND pay seventeen million pounds to Arsenal. I’d ignore it.
Jay // Mar 19, 2008 at 18:41
I guess it should be a close one.
Valencia 0-1 Barcelona
Shahenshah // Mar 19, 2008 at 19:20
What the hell is going on with Ronaldinho? He should take a page out Toure’s book.
Nevertheless, Barca will win tomororw.
Shahenshah // Mar 19, 2008 at 19:24
aight that may have been a bit uncalled for. Hopefully he is okay. We dont want another injury
Shakalero // Mar 19, 2008 at 20:02
We have to pass, so Valencia 1-2 Barcelona
Hilal // Mar 19, 2008 at 20:24
Nics right…..sky sports do talk a lot of rubbish and they are very biased towards the English teams as well. Incidentally Goal.com also talk a lot of rubbish, though they do seem to have less inherent bias in their articles.
Nic any advice on where to get some reasonably well balanced football news? IT seems most places love to print rubbish! I live in the UK so i have to watch things like “Revista De La Liga” to get my regular liga fix…….i dont know if you’ve seen it but some of the stories that come out on that show are just ridiculous! I remember hearing the Eto’o for Henry swap rumour loads of times on that show. Can you imagine?!?!?!
Oh and you gotta love Toure…..a few more players with his attitude is what we need to really lift this team. Toure, Iniesta, Puyol are the only three players who consistently give it there all, whether or not they play well is something else, but at least they always try…. Cant fault that!
Hilal // Mar 19, 2008 at 20:25
oh my prediction 0-1 Barca. Henry to score
BARCA 4 LYF // Mar 19, 2008 at 21:39
Sure Ronnie’s lost form but we’re Barca fans not the damn press so we shouldn’t criticise Ronnie we should keep our belief in him! So whoever writes these articles is there a way you get in touch with the Barca board? Tell Rikyaard to use a 4-2-2-2 formation so Henry can be at his best and Eto’o! But Ronnie will go in centre attacking mid and I think he’ll play better! If you use that formation you need two C-A-M so Dos Santos can fill in if he’s recovered before Messi! But if not Iniesta could go there and Toure and Xavi could in centre mid! It’s a perfect solution for Barca!
Hilal // Mar 19, 2008 at 22:40
Barca 4 lyf, i couldnt agree more. That would be an excellent formation for Barca, but we all know Rijkaard is never going to shift from a 4-3-3. He will do anything and everything to keep his 4-3-3 formation and that includes putting our best players out of position.
Blaugrana // Mar 19, 2008 at 22:55
0-2 to barça
Clarity // Mar 20, 2008 at 0:45
Ezquerro, is available but has been left out for technical reasons!!! i like that one lol…with our injury bless i wouldn’t be surprised to see him get some first team action soon
Gobba // Mar 20, 2008 at 0:48
I have to say that 80% of the Manager task is to bring out the best of every player. If the Manager can only get 30-50% out of each player it is him to blaim ! Look at Henry, Ronnie …
We have so much and many talent(s) in our squad. The biggest challenge of our Manager is to handle our talents intellingtly, especally Off field and then they will shine On field. Although we focus mainly on who will play and who not, we should focus on how we should best handle our Golden eggs… Not only with money but rather with care …
bobby // Mar 20, 2008 at 2:31
FRICKEN MARQUEZ, GIO AND TOURE GET HEALTHY AND START PALYING GOSH!!!!!!!
FCB - Canada // Mar 20, 2008 at 2:43
1-1. Barca loss in shootout.
Morzzan // Mar 20, 2008 at 2:57
Prediction, Valencia 0-0 Barcelona
Second Leg: Valencia 1-1 Barcelona
Varughese // Mar 20, 2008 at 5:03
My prediction 2-2 draw with Barcelona proceeding. I hope this happens. I believe it will be tough for the team to win there. As you said nic, getting the two goals are very important. But our defense is the worry, they are draining goals.
Varughese // Mar 20, 2008 at 5:39
I think Rijkaard need to change the formation a little, Iniesta playing in a pocket behind Eto and Henry. This will look like 4-3-1-2. Wrote one article about why we should go for such a formation
http://www.allaboutfcbarcelona.com/2008/03/real-tough-task-at-estadio-mestalla.html
Oliver Fowler // Mar 20, 2008 at 11:53
Neat article Nic.
I would say that Graham is an astute observer of the scene here and his words carry weight. There are obviously problems beneath the surface, but they can always be overcome by getting them out into the open and finding a way forwards.
As for this game, I think that Barca will win well. 0-2 sounds like the score to me!
Vorksi // Mar 20, 2008 at 11:59
id reckon 2-2
hopefully we can score 2 goals wothout reply in the first 30 mins
then Valencia need 3 to progress
BARCA 4 LYF // Mar 20, 2008 at 12:26
http://www.tribalfootball.com./article.php?id=84057. Please go on that! Ronnie says that no damn critic in the world will destroy him! And that he’s going to do everything to return to his best!
Nic // Mar 20, 2008 at 13:53
For anyone living in Spain - the game is now being shown on La Sexta, or for those in Catalunya it’s on TV3.
Hilal - Surely this is the best place for well balanced news on Barça
The official Barça page is reliable for official news though the English translations are not always so quick - http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/
If you want general football articles then soccerlens is excellent - http://soccerlens.com/
And for up to date english football news try Footy 24/7 - http://www.footy247.co.uk/
Nic // Mar 20, 2008 at 18:30
Latest on the TV today. El Sport says the RFEF have sent a warning to Valencia that the game can only be shown on pay per view. So who knows now if it will be shown free or not.
Piotrek // Mar 20, 2008 at 19:00
http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/web/gen/20080320/noticia_53446000065.html
Laporta calls CDR a major tittle.As you know Rijkaard previously said that if he wins an important title then he will stay with the team…We’re doomed..:(
CDR a major title WTF?
Nic // Mar 20, 2008 at 20:09
Team announced for tonight:
Valdés, Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Abidal; Xavi, Toure, Gudjohnsen; Bojan, Eto’o, Iniesta.
BARCA 4 LYF // Mar 20, 2008 at 21:37
FCB-Canada u call yourself a Barca fan damn I could call you a R. madrid fan and nobody will notice! You are supposed to be supporting your team not saying ” Barca loss in shootout” I mean what’s that all about? And PIOTREK what do you mean we’re doomed because Rikyaard stayin he’s probably the best coach we’ve had (along with Koeman) we hadn’t won the champs league since the 90’s and look who comes and wins it in 2006, who you ask? RIKYAARD!!!
FCB - Canada // Mar 20, 2008 at 21:47
I am actually a Ronaldinho fan.
It so happens that he plays for Barca. I don’t profess to be a long time fan of soccer as I have not been, but my appreciation for the game is because of him. And by the way you don’t need to be a diehard barca fan to see what’s going on with the team. Pretty obvious.
2-0 Valencia at the half. Ahhh…. can they come back?
Piotrek // Mar 20, 2008 at 21:53
they cant.
Out capitan is schooled by Valencia players :/
We won CL with Rijkaard because at that time EVERY PLAYER including olegeur was at his peak form …Our tactics was based on players individual skills not team strategy…Nowadays when R10 and Messi are out we have no idea how to play..This year as absolute shit as we are losing to almost every strong team in la liga .Somebody has to be sucked as it is not first year when we wont win any title..so Bye Frank and Bring Jose back! At least we will have some good tactics prepared.
Piotrek // Mar 20, 2008 at 21:54
*this year is..
Dr.Osmo // Mar 20, 2008 at 22:39
F˙˙˙˙ Rijkaard…
Taras // Mar 20, 2008 at 22:51
No. NO! NO!!! I can’t believe it! Such a poor game for us. I have guessed the score but failed to guess the winner team.
Blaugrana // Mar 20, 2008 at 23:50
Does anyone have mourinho’s number? iam tired of this s**t is this a deja vu year of last year or what gud god no!
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