Frank Rijkaard has continued with his policy of rotations by leaving out Toure Yaya for tomorrow evening’s game at Atletico Madrid (kick off 8pm). Rafa Marquez has still not recovered from his foot injury and Bojan Krkic is also out after picking up a knock against Valencia. There is a return to the squad for Ronaldinho, Sylvinho, Gudjohnsen and Giovani dos Santos.
Atletico have hit a poor run having been knocked out of the Uefa Cup by Bolton Wanderers and losing their last two Liga games. They have injury problems in midfield (Thiago Motta will be out for another three month with his persistant knee problems), which could mean a debut for 17-year-old Ignacio Camacho. However, they are still a danger going forward where Kun Agüero has been declared fit to continue his partnership with Diego Forlan. Despite the recent defeats Atletico are still fourth in the table on 41 points and will represent a serious test for Barça.
With the four ‘fantasticos’ all in the squad it is anyone’s guess as to who will start up front. Eto’o, Henry and Ronaldinho have all missed one of the last three games which might suggest it is Leo Messi’s turn to start on the bench, but as Messi has recuperated his form it would be risky for Rijkaard to leave him out of such an important match. It seems more likely that we will see the REM strike force again with Thierry Henry as substitute. Iniesta should return in midfield so Deco will probably also be back on the bench. I have to say I’m not happy with the decision to rest Toure for this game as he has been excellent in the last three games; however, I have full confidence in Edmilson who will almost certainly start in Toure’s place.
For the first time this season Barça will be playing at the same time as Real Madrid who are away to Recreativo, so if the results go the right way, Barça could be top of the league at 10pm tomorrow. You should all check which of the two matches they are showing where you watch football. Last season Barça won this game 0-6 (see match report) so a repeat of that would of course be very nice indeed.
Barça’s squad for the match: Valdés, Pinto, Zambrotta, Puyol, Thuram, Milito, Abidal, Sylvinho, Edmilson, Xavi, Deco, Gudjohnsen, Iniesta, Messi, Giovani, Eto’o, Henry, Ronaldinho.
Possible starting XI: Valdés; Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Abidal; Xavi, Edmilson, Iniesta; Messi, Eto’o, Ronaldinho.
My Prediction: Atletico 2 Barça 4
Send your predictions: there is still time to catch our prediction king, Blaugrana, who has guessed the correct score three times.
34 responses so far ↓
Frede // Feb 29, 2008 at 15:45
Im a to a bit worried about the left out of Yaya (my freaking god, he’s good!).. But anyway, im predicting 3-2 victory for Barca. The defence i solid, but without Yaya and againt “El Kun” and Forlan, its our offensive line, who has to do their job this night..
Visa Barca!
Hilal // Feb 29, 2008 at 15:51
Hmmmm, im a bit dissapointed that he is leaving Toure out. He has been excellent the last few games, even though Valencia was not his best I still think he should play. I suppose with the CL coming up he wants to rest some key players, but I think the league and the CL should get top priority now and not the cup. I would have much rathered he rest toure against Valencia and play him against Athletic. Do you know if this could be due to a slight injury or knock Nik?
Nic // Feb 29, 2008 at 16:06
Hilal - the official webpage just says he has been rested so presumably he is ok.
José // Feb 29, 2008 at 16:16
how come you’re so confident??
2-4??? I hope so lol
I’d be happy with any win tho’ tbh..
0-1 will be hard enough as it is!
John // Feb 29, 2008 at 17:10
Agree with comments about Yaya… he has been outstanding since his return from the African Cup of Nartions. This is not a game where he should be rested. It would make more sense to rest him against Celtic who not wishing to put down are less of a threat at the Camp Nou than Atletico at the Vicente Calderón…. same result as last season would be good….. a win is vital!
Blaugrana // Feb 29, 2008 at 17:56
Atl madrid 1-0 barça i am an extreme pessimist and i pray i won’t get this one right,but hey that’s me
Jay // Feb 29, 2008 at 18:33
I cant believe it that Yaya Toure has been rested. He should have been a part of the squad. Edmilson is doing well, but Toure is better anyday. And that to in a game like this.
It’s undoubtedly going to be tougher than 6-0 last time out. What a magnificent win that one was. And to lose the title after that was the worst thing ever.
A win, a win, a win is all we seek. Our away form has improved considerably over the new year.
Prediction : Atletico 1-2 Barcelona
Messi & Eto’o to score one each(This is too much to predict. But giving it a go anyway)
Taras // Feb 29, 2008 at 19:07
This time Atletico doesn’t have Fernando Torres so why it won’t be 9-0?
I predict 3-1 Barca.
Hilal // Feb 29, 2008 at 19:08
Quote from goal.com “The one main absentee is Touré Yaya, however, who has been rested as a precautionary measure as he has had back pain during the week.”
Not sure how reliable this is knowing the source, but still that makes a lot more sense than resting him for no reason!
Nic // Feb 29, 2008 at 19:29
Goal.com presumably got the story from Marca who quote Neeskens as saying Toure had a back pain. Strange that Barça’s official webpage, El Sport and El Mundo Deportivo don’t mention it.
Taras // Feb 29, 2008 at 19:41
I believe the official webpage because it’s a better sourse and because the information is much nicer.
John // Mar 1, 2008 at 0:34
Barce website says Yaya has a bad back http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada07-08/02/n080229103432.html see last paragraph…
Raji // Mar 1, 2008 at 2:14
i really hope that they kill the game early so im not feeling so bloody anxious when i watch Baraca play! I feel that Aguerro wont be as big of a threat since he just returned from injury and although declared fully fit it still takes awhile for match fitness
Rafael // Mar 1, 2008 at 2:23
Barca 3 - 1 Atl.
FCB - Canada // Mar 1, 2008 at 3:07
3-0 Baaaaaaarca!
Vorksi // Mar 1, 2008 at 4:27
Atletico madrid 1 - Barca 2
iniesta and messi goals
Alabi // Mar 1, 2008 at 7:42
Tips 2 barca,Ath.mad 1and barca 2,which eto’o and ronnie go 4 d goal.
dayib-SM // Mar 1, 2008 at 8:03
barca could win 3 goals from Eto’o,messi,xavi.
Abdul // Mar 1, 2008 at 12:33
Barca 3- atl madrid 0. eto’o shall score 2 n ronnie wil score a penalty.
Youssef Gazia // Mar 1, 2008 at 12:47
Firstly I strongly dissagree with Rikards policy of rotation. Yaya is the man for this game, he is strong, fast and calm. And in the Vicente Calderon, we need all the weapons we got.
I wish Rikkard doesnt play Deco in a match like this. Iniesta is way better.
Perfect lineup for today:
————————–valdes——————-
Zamb————Poyol——- Milito ———-Abidal
———————–Edmilson——————–
———————–Xavi————————-
———————Iniesta———————–
Messi——————————–Ronnie
——————Eto’o—————————-
2nd half subs: Henry, Guddie, Gio.
1-2 Barca!
Barca o Murte.
Dr.Osmo // Mar 1, 2008 at 14:02
Atletico 1 Barça 4
———————————-VALDES——————————
———————–PUYOL————-MILITO——————-
ZAMBROTTA——————————————-ABIDAL—-
——————————-EDMILSON—————————–
———————XAVI———————INIESTA————-
—MESSI———————ETO’O—————-RONALDINHO
Lonny // Mar 1, 2008 at 16:38
Hmmm… Look Barcelona have the best team in the world, and i think that Barca will win the game tonight.
Is very difficult game cuz A.Madrid have a nice players and is not easy to win this game but Barcelona are Champion and they will win tonight.
I Hope So
Nic // Mar 1, 2008 at 18:55
Team announced:
————————–Valdés———————-
Zambrotta——Puyol——–Milito——Abidal
———-Xavi——Edmilson——–Iniesta——
–Ronaldinho——Eto’o———-Henry——-
Rijkaard is crazy to leave out Messi!
Lonny // Mar 1, 2008 at 19:11
This players will play tonight between A.Madrid :
______________________ Valdez _______________________
Zambrotta__________Puyol___________Milito___________Abidal
________________________Edmilson______________________
____________Xavi_____________________Iniesta____________
_________Messi_____________________________Ronaldinho___
_________________________Eto’o_________________________
I GUESS IT’S GooD FORMATION.
:D
Nic // Mar 1, 2008 at 19:20
Lonny - Messi is starting on the bench. They announced the team on the radio.
Lonny // Mar 1, 2008 at 19:25
Whaaaaat oh GOD but he is the prime player, whithout Messi Barca can’t win the game.
That’s not good :S
Taras // Mar 1, 2008 at 19:46
Lonny- Barca can win without Messi, Messi is not all of the team. We have won many matches without Messi while he was injured. But why Ronaldinho is on the right?
Youssef Gazia // Mar 1, 2008 at 21:02
How can a sane coach leave out Messi. 1st half result 2-1 Atlitico Madrid.
Only if Messi was playing…
Piotrek // Mar 1, 2008 at 21:24
Fuera Rijkaard. It was 1st match that we could play with all our best players but for some reason Frank decided to play without messi ,deco and toure.WTF he was thinking.?Its 3-1 non .Game over for today.
Barca #1 // Mar 1, 2008 at 22:02
Dios mio. Rijkaard la botastes. Edmilson, Henry … total M.
Puyol horrible. Valdez … decepcionante.
No se como Edmilson sigue jugando para el Barca…. desastre total.
Barca #1 // Mar 1, 2008 at 22:05
Rijkaard. Seriously. I mean really???!!! Edmilson?? wtf?
Henry was utter trash. Unbelievable.
As soon as Edmilson walked off the field Barca started doing better.
My god, This is how u plan to win La Liga? by fielding a D-rated team?
Great preparation for Celtic,btw…seriouly, how are the players gonna turn the top on now? after getting HUMILIATED in Madrid.
Taras // Mar 1, 2008 at 22:13
We lost 4-2 . BUT DID YOU SEE RONALDINHO’S GOAL??? GREAT GOAL!!!
Youssef Gazia // Mar 1, 2008 at 22:26
Yes nic ur prediction was right.. but its 4-2 not 2-4
Dr.Osmo // Mar 1, 2008 at 23:01
Rijkaard you are so stupid !!
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