The date and time for next weekend’s game against Sevilla have finally been announced by La Liga. The game will take place on Saturday 22nd September with the kick off at 10pm and will be shown live on Spanish TV (La Sexta and TV3). I know I have said it before, but why can’t those responsible organize kick off times at an earlier date. Last season, the norm was that times were announced ten days prior to the game, but now we have a case where there are only five days between the announcement and the game. I know there are problems with the TV companies, but how are fans supposed to organize their lives? I find it practically impossible to plan weekends ahead, and my sorry addiction to the beautiful game often causes havoc with my social life.

Another topic in the news the last few days has been the so-called “virus Fifa” which is the old club versus country argument. Barça president Joan Laporta has claimed that clubs should receive compensation for their players on international duty. Barça lost Leo Messi this weekend after he played a meaningless friendly for Argentina in Australia, and after seeing the lacklustre performance of some of Barça’s international against Osasuna, one has to wonder about the fairness of the current situation.

Having said that, it does not excuse Barça’s performance. It seems the lessons from last season have not been learnt. I wrote at the end of the season about the lack of hunger and desire - http://fcbnews.com/what-went-wrong/ - but yesterday’s game suggests that nothing has changed. Is there anyone at the club capable of turning things round? Barça will need to show much more fighting spirit if they are going to overcome Lyon on Wednesday and Sevilla on Saturday. 

Three weeks ago, I defended Frank Rijkaard’s substitutions against Racing Santander - http://fcbnews.com/did-rijkaard-make-mistakes/ - but I’m afraid to say I didn’t agree with him yesterday. Maybe taking off Ronaldinho was because the Brazilian had travelled further than most to play in Brazil’s games, but what was the point of putting on a midfielder, Xavi, in his place? Bojan showed in 12 minutes that he could have made the difference, why didn’t Rijkaard put him on earlier?

There was some positive news today: Leo Messi trained normally and is expected to be ready to start against Lyon on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola experienced his first defeat as Barça B coach, the team lost 2-0 away to Manresa and now have four points from the first three games. Barça B lined up as follows: Oier, Córcoles, Espasandín, Marc Valiente (Eneko Fernández,m.70), Xavi Torres, Marc Crosas (Botía,m.46), Jeffrén (Pedro Rodríguez, m.46), Dimas, Guerra, Abraham, Víctor Vázquez.