Tomorrow night sees Champions League football again at Camp Nou with the visit of Rangers. Barça will be hoping to continue with their 100% home record this season. A win would almost guarantee a place in the last 16. However, Barça have a dreadful record against Scottish teams so anything could happen.
Rangers have only played Barça once at Camp Nou, in the Joan Gamper tournament of 1974, Barça won that game 4-1 (cheers Frank ;-) ). For Rangers’ other visit to Camp Nou see http://fcbnews.com/the-last-time-rangers-visited-camp-nou/.
Rangers are expected to play with similar tactics to those employed at Ibrox two weeks ago, so they will probably play a 4-5-1 formation. They will be without the suspended Kevin Thompson and he will most likely be replaced by Brahim Hemdani in midfield. The other new face who missed the game at Ibrox will be Jean-Claude Darcheville who is in contention with Daniel Cousin to start as the lone striker. Last Saturday Rangers beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-0 with goals from Kris Boyd and Carlos Cuellar.
Gianluca Zambrotta is out for Barça with an ankle injury. So we should see Carles Puyol once more at right back. Gabi Milito is back in the squad in place of the Italian, and should be back in central defence after being rested against Betis. Midfield and attack should be the same as on Sunday. Ronaldinho will be keen to build on his good game.
Hopefully Barça will get an early goal so that Rangers will be forced to come out in search of an equalizer, if that happens we should see a much more entertaining game than two weeks ago.
Barça’s squad: Valdés, Jorquera, Milito, Thuram, Oleguer, Puyol, Abidal, Sylvinho, Márquez, Touré Yaya, Xavi, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen, Henry, Ronaldinho, Messi, Bojan, Dos Santos.
Possible Starting XIs
Barça: 4-3-3 Valdés; Puyol, Marquez or Thuram, Milito, Abidal; Xavi, Toure, Iniesta; Messi, Henry, Ronaldinho.
Rangers: 4-5-1 McGregor; Hutton, Weir, Cuellar, Papac; McCulloch, Ferguson, Hemdani, Adam, Beasley or Novo; Darcheville or Cousin.
My Prediction: Barça 3 Rangers 0
Please send your prediction.
9 responses so far ↓
paul // Nov 6, 2007 at 20:28
Bieng a scot & a Rangers / Barca fan & living / working in catalonia for over 5 years now i was very unhappy after queing for over 4 hour for a ticket at barc. to be told No ! SORRY YOUR NOT SPANISH SO WE CANT SELL YOU A TICKET why have a resedency card and bloody pay spanish taxes for over 5 year to be told No! thank a lot Barc.
Nick // Nov 6, 2007 at 21:33
That’s well out of order, and I’m sure is illegal! If you can be bothered I’d take it to the Sindic de Greuges.
Anyway, my prediction 3-1 to Barça.
e10 // Nov 7, 2007 at 7:27
In my opinion barca will come out winners 2-0.
And hopefully Ronaldinho will score again and let his rich rain of form continue.
I think that Ronaldinho and either Messi/Deco will get on the score sheet.
Blaugrana // Nov 7, 2007 at 14:34
Nic,can u explain why santi esquerro is still in the squad? Wasnt he on the transfer list with maxi and motta in august,i mean he gets dropped and never used so why is he still in the squad?
Nic // Nov 7, 2007 at 15:50
Hi Blaugrana. Ezquerro was asked to look for another club this summer and was close to returning to Athletic Bilbao, however, negotiations broke down just before the transfer deadline and it was too late for him to find another club. I imagine Athletic didn’t offer him as much money as he is getting at Barça so he decided to stay. Maybe he’ll leave during the winter transfer window.
Nick // Nov 7, 2007 at 22:43
e10 wins it with his/her 2-0
Nic // Nov 7, 2007 at 23:44
How did we not score a third? At this rate I’ll never get one right.
Well done e10! You win the admiration of us all
e10 // Nov 8, 2007 at 7:12
Thank You.
Lets just hope they will continue with this form throughout the season.
I thought that Ronaldinho Gave a solid performance but looked annoyed when substituted.
Anyway we now have to focus upon the Barca vs Getafe game and hope that Real lose with who ever there playing.
Los Cules!!!!!!!!!!
FCB - Canada // Nov 8, 2007 at 18:01
Good game against Rangers. Barca are looking very good. Getafe wont be easy but I think Barca will win. I hope they get that extra motivation from that terrible loss last year (Copa Del Ray). I certainly would be looking for revenge. Real Madrid wont lose. Not against the current teams they are about to play anyways. Prediction 3-0.
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