Barça play hosts to Stuttgart tomorrow night in the last round of Champions League group matches. With Barça already qualified as Group E champions, and Stuttgart mathematically bottom of the group there is only prestige and €600,000 to play for. Johan Neeskens will officially be in charge of the team as Frank Rijkaard is banned after being sent off in Lyon.
Leo Messi has been rested due to being one yellow card away from suspension. However, Toure Yaya who is in a similar position is included in the squad along with Eric Abidal after both players missed Sunday’s win over Deportivo through illness. Marc Crosas is back in the squad and may well get his Champions League debut, while Albert Jorquera should get his first game in goal this season. Zambrotta and Ezquerro are not fully fit and join Henry, Edmilson and Oleguer on the injured list.
Stuttgart are also missing players including their star striker Mario Gomez. Their manager, Armin Veh, has descibed the game as a “friendly” though few teams play at Camp Nou and treat the occasion as a kickaround. Two thousand Stuttgart fans have made the trip to cheer on their team.
Barça are unlikely to take too many risks given the games they have ahead with Valencia and Real Madrid. A lot of Barça fans will simply be hoping that no-one gets injured, that Eto’o and Deco continue to improve, and that Bojan Krkic gets on the scoresheet, which would make him the youngest scorer in Champions League history.
The eighteen chosen for the game are: Jorquera, Valdés, Puyol, Thuram, Marquez, Milito, Sylvinho, Abidal, Xavi, Crosas, Toure, Deco, Gudjohnsen, Iniesta, Giovani, Eto’o, Bojan, Ronaldinho.
It’s almost impossible to know which eleven players will start tomorrow, but just for the hell of it here’s my possible starting XI: Jorquera; Puyol, Thuram, Marquez, Sylvinho; Deco, Crosas, Gudjohnsen; Giovani, Bojan, Eto’o.
My Prediction: Barça 2 Stuttgart 1
Make the game more interesting by sending your prediction.
8 responses so far ↓
FCB - Canada // Dec 12, 2007 at 0:49
Nothing to really play for here. Barca will probably rest their big guns and give their youngsters some playtime. 2-0.
Darren // Dec 12, 2007 at 1:58
Absolutely nothing to play for except giving Eto’o more time, Bojan a chance to score and Dinhio minutes to recover form.
Hopefully all the boys will come up injury free - It should be almost one way traffic, I expect Barca 3 Stuttgart 0.
Scorers: Bojan, Eto’o, Deco
Siim // Dec 12, 2007 at 9:42
I don’t think it’s Jorquera’s first game this season, he played against Alcoyano also. Yeah, almost meaningless match, I excpect a draw though. 1-1
e10 // Dec 12, 2007 at 10:55
I think Barca 2-1 and in my opinion Eto’o and Ronaldinho will start so both can play and find their rhythm.
Scorers are Ronaldinho and either Eto’o or Bojan.
Barca really have nothing to play for so Neeskens will give the young guns a run.
Nic // Dec 12, 2007 at 11:36
Siim, you’re quite right about Jorquera. I’m afraid the Copa del Rey seems a bit of a second-rate tournament so I tend to ignore it for statistics and things.
chris // Dec 12, 2007 at 11:47
Ipredict a 3-1,and above victory for Barca. Hope to see Ronnie get one…….and a really fantastic one! Its a good chance to fully utilize Barca’s youth players. I tip Bojan do shine too. !!!! there is no pressure tonight and this is a great chance for some exhibition!!!!i wanna see some juggles,some 360’s, backheels, bicycle kicks and most of all the Barca team should bury them deep and make the opposition goalkeeper retire frm football at the end of the game!!!!ahhahahahahahahahaha
2pac // Dec 12, 2007 at 22:45
Barça 3 Stuttgart 1…
Eto’o is back
Nic // Dec 13, 2007 at 0:54
Well done Chris! I should point out that 2pac wasn’t making a prediction, just celebrating the result
Chris joins Nick, e10 and FCB-Canada on one correct prediction this season, I still haven’t got one right 
Why did Ronnie have to go and score…
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