As already mentioned in a previous comments section Leo Messi has been included in the squad for tomorrow evening’s match in Huelva against Recreativo (kick off 10pm). Messi has trained normally with the group this week but his inclusion is still a bit of a surprise and slightly sooner than the six weeks that was initially talked about as the time of his recovery.
Slight injuries to Bojan Krkic and Thierry Henry, added to the already known absence of Andres Iniesta, means that Santi Ezquerro and Victor Vazquez are also included in the squad. With so many forwards missing Messi could well start the match. One would hope that there would be no risk taken with him, given the importance of having him fit for the Man United game
Recreativo have Quique Alvarez fit after he missed training on Thursday and according to Marca will play a 4-2-3-1 formation with Sinama Pongolle alone up front. Their starting lineup could be : Sorrentino, Martín Cáceres, Beto, Quique Alvarez, Poli; Martins, Jesús Vázquez; Camuñas, Marco Ruben, Aitor; Sinama Pongolle. Recreativo have been struggling against relegation all season and are now just above the drop zone in 17th place on 36 points. Expect them to fight all the way. Barça beat them 0-4 in the corresponding fixture last year with two goals from Samuel Eto’o and one a-piece from Messi and Zambrotta. Earlier this season Barça beat Recre 3-0 at Camp Nou with goals from Milito, Bojan and Messi (there’s an amusing bit in the comments from an Arsenal fan laughing at us for losing to Liverpool in the Champions League).
Although many seem to have given up on La Liga this season there are still 21 points in play and given Real Madrid’s erratic form it seems likely that they will drop more points. It may be that Barça have to win all their remaining games to have a chance, but while there still exists that chance they need to go out and give it everything. Given all the knocks and injury problems it is difficult to predict the team for tomorrow, I just hope Rijkaard picks the eleven who are in the best condition to play.
Barça’s 18-man squad: Valdés, Pinto, Zambrotta, Puyol, Thuram, Marquez, Milito, Abidal, Sylvinho, Edmilson, Xavi, Toure, Gudjohnsen, Victor Vazquez, Messi, Eto’o, Giovani, Ezquerro.
Possible starting lineup: Valdés, Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Sylvinho, Xavi, Toure, Gudjohnsen, Messi, Eto’o, Giovani.
My prediction: Recreativo 1 Barça 2
Can anyone catch e10 and Blaugrana on three correct predictions?
44 responses so far ↓
Jay // Apr 11, 2008 at 19:27
2-0….
Barca-Fan // Apr 11, 2008 at 19:36
2-0, Messi and Giovani
Blaugrana // Apr 11, 2008 at 19:37
Recreativo 0-4 barcelona
BARCA 4 LYF // Apr 11, 2008 at 19:38
2-0 to BARCA!
Hilal // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:26
Messi!!!!! God i cant wait to see him back in the team. Even if he doesnt play, just having him on the bench seems to lift all the players. I was gonna say he would start guddy up front with Eto’o and Gio but given all the injuries I think guddy will start with Xavi in the midfield. He better not risk Messi, would rather that he started Ezquerro , unless Messi is already fully recovered.
Taras // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:41
2-0 to Barca.
Catherine-Lucia // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:54
Giovani’s bagging one for sure…
Shahenshah // Apr 12, 2008 at 0:13
why do i get the feeling that recre are going to try rough messi up?
Shahenshah // Apr 12, 2008 at 0:18
I noticed Barca fans dont really cheer or yell when there is a good play or effort by an individual. They clap their hands. Thats very sophisticated.
Nic is this true or am I assuming too much?
layi // Apr 12, 2008 at 1:02
2-2
FCB // Apr 12, 2008 at 1:13
2-1 barca
Nic // Apr 12, 2008 at 1:27
Shahenshah - it’s certainly true that the Camp Nou faithful are not as noisy as some crowds in northern Europe. At the big games however the atmosphere can be amazing. I’m sure their will be a great atmosphere for the Man United game
Angus // Apr 12, 2008 at 1:53
0-0. I just can’t see us doing enought with our current away form. Too many penaltys are being conceded and the defence looks shaky away from home. Messi or not we’re seriously lacking fit players.
I will add that I’m always pesemistic so any away win pleases me.
ulizinho // Apr 12, 2008 at 8:43
Hope to see some football with Messi back in the squad or on the pitch - too many boring hours at last in LL and CL
Dr.Osmo // Apr 12, 2008 at 9:33
Recreativo 0 Barça 4
Varughese // Apr 12, 2008 at 10:51
Should not rush messi to start. He can be brought in for the final 2o minutes. My prediction is Barcelona winning 0-4.
I do agree that is a bit of exaggeration, but i have this feeling. We are going to pick it up from now on - Gudjonsen is going to score twice.
forza // Apr 12, 2008 at 11:06
giovanni is tha shit
Vorksi // Apr 12, 2008 at 11:15
yes!
ezquerro is back in the squad
forward line?
i’d like to see giovani-eto’o-ezquerro
messi to come on the last 20 mins or so
he should come back gradually
if would break my heart if he re-injured himself and be out for the games against united
btw predicting a 0-2 scoreline
giovani and eto’o to score
Frede // Apr 12, 2008 at 12:03
Barca 4-1 Recre
e10 // Apr 12, 2008 at 12:06
it is great ti hear that Messi is back before expected. Hopefully he can get into form before the Man Utd clashes.
Barca 2-1
dnzi // Apr 12, 2008 at 15:06
3-1 for barça. i hope. (actually i don’t, ’cause the more barça loses, the better it is for me, haha)
Nic // Apr 12, 2008 at 19:53
Team announced: Valdés, Zambrotta, Puyol, Milto, Abidal, Xavi, Toure, Gudjohnsen, Giovani, Eto’o, Ezquerro.
Winterhunt // Apr 12, 2008 at 20:44
2-1 recre….. sad to say and hope I’m wrong
Winterhunt // Apr 12, 2008 at 20:46
p.s. never thought I’d see the day when both “The Perm” and Guddy would get starts in a game that actually matters….. well sort of matters…..
Shahenshah // Apr 12, 2008 at 21:08
thank god rijkaard is smart enough to not risk messi
barca just scored from their first attack. My goodness
Shahenshah // Apr 12, 2008 at 21:53
wow what an abysmal half. What is xavi doing with his life?
And that was definitely not a goal but barcelona should not have given them a chance like that either
If there is a moment where messi can really prove himself, its now.
Diatus // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:12
Frank’s got to go…this game was poorly coached…to my point from the other day. You can score all the goals you want but they are meaningless if there is space between the attackers and the midfield…How sad!!!
Dr.Osmo // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:16
Guddy - Edmilson
:o 
What a F*** Rijkaard… !
Go out of Barca Rijkaard !!
Joe Henry // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:23
People please don’t be angry. I told you from the last post lose hope in this season Franky sucked and will always sucked. Sure you Fans of Frank will say it was Unlike or unfair just another dumb excuse. Wake up face the facts : Frank sucks as hell. The defense Sucked even more ( Pore Coaching for sure ). And Bojan 100% should have been in the game. I will pray day and night that Madrid game and the Man United games only ends 2-0 not more to the opponents. With this defense & this coach I’m saying a 6-0 from Madrid and 7-1 from Man United. If this is barca the score line should be 5-0 that is all i have to say.
Diatus // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:28
Not so fast Joe…!!! I will bet you anything you want that Barcelona will go on the Champions league Final.
Joe Henry // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:29
@ Diatus. I Hope Friend I Hope !
Winterhunt // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:32
Yeah, Mourinho couldn’t have do any better than this…. Definately think we should keep the faith with Frank because he’s right on top of his game, and has his keen, strategic football mind razor sharp….. Who needs Mourinho???? This is good enough for us…. Or maybe if Frank gets so bored we can promote Pep after all he’s already coaching in the 4th division and might even get the team promoted to 3rd…. Either one really, anyone but Jose…. He doesn’t coach football as “Beautiful” as we are playing these days and really it would be a crime to play players in positions that they could actually perform up to their capabilities in, or actually be organised on defense, or hold a lead, or have someone who can actually make a rational substitution….. Jose just wins, and Heck, who wants to do that, Real already wins, what do we need to win for???????
AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE YET AGAIN
Diatus // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:35
Joe, That is the only thing we have left unlike Man U. Emotional play is the most efficient type of play for any team…we are out of the Copa del Rey, We lost the league today (I think), We might have to lose our Champions league berth soon, the only thing we have left is this year’s Champions league and the return leg against real Madrid (morale game for next year)…I am certain of that. Our level of play will go up, they will play with much more heart and I will take that type of team any day.
FCB // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:37
again and again…all u guys do is whine.
Diatus // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:37
Got the Sarcasm Winterhunt…well said!!!
Diatus // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:38
FCB, you can whine too , you know…haha…I get the feeling you just feel like doing one better…cry. It’s ok big boy…you can cry..haha
Joe Henry // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:39
Yes FCB times like this we should be dancing with Happiness. Better yet lets go COACH ( We cant be worse then Frank ).Diatus I wish I really do
Winterhunt // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:40
FCB, just curious, you have some sort of aatraction to underachieving, heartless mediocrity on the pitch????? Maybe we just have different expectations for the club….. I for one have always been of the mind that we should be the best club in the world or at least striving for that….. I guess you don’t feel the same way?????
FCB // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:40
:’(
Shahenshah // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:40
with oozing sarcasm
Shahenshah // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:50
I think the blame has to go on my parents. Everytime I have a chat with them during a game, Barcelona concedes goals. Memories of Betis game are returning. Damn
layi // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:53
our defence industry (the mentality, the defenders, the defensive setup, the defensive philosophy) really needs a rethink…the attack’s ok though linkup btw midfield and attack is stil a problem of some sort.
overall, i aint sad…i’ve just been watchin our matches nowadays without any particular feeling…by the way, i got my prediction right…2-2
Winterhunt // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:58
by the way Schalke 04 got beaten 5-1 today by Werder Bremen, a team already eliminated from the UEFA CUP… So it’s not like we beat a European giant to get to the Champion’s Semi (heck, we barely even beat them)….. In fact, aside from Lyon in the group stage, you’d have to honestly say we have had by far the easiest draw, and with the form we played in, I honestly don’t think we would have advanced this far had we drawn any other side…… We may beat Man U, anything can happen, but it would not be a true indicator of what we have been all season, which in my eyes has truly been a disgrace…….
Nic // Apr 13, 2008 at 8:37
Well done Layi for the correst prediction. Not much to be happy about
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