Carles Puyol returns to the squad for tomorrow night’s game at Zaragoza after making a super quick recovery from his injury. Puyol tore a muscle in the Copa del Rey match against Villarreal on January 31st and doctors originally said he would be out for three to four weeks. Also back in the squad are Deco, Bojan and Toure Yaya, but there is no place for Samuel Eto’o who is hoping to get fit in time for the Champions League game with Celtic on Wednesday.
Zaragoza are having an up and down season but they are hard to beat at La Romareda, having only lost one home game all season to Valladolid in November. Pablo Aimar is out injured and Oliveira may be left out after suffering from flu this week. However, there could be a return to action for Francelino Matuzalem who has missed four months since getting injured in September’s game at Camp Nou after a challenge from Toure Yaya. New coach Javier Irureta may decide on a 4-2-3-1 system with Diego Milito playing as the lone striker. Milito is the second top scorer in the league this season with 14 goals, hopefully brother Gabi can stop him tomorrow.
Puyol may be back but Zambrotta has still not recovered so Puyol will probably start at right back with Marquez back in defence alongside Milito. Toure should return to midfield and Rijkaard will have to choose between Deco, Xavi, Iniesta and Gudjohnsen for the other midfield places. Up front there could be a return for Ronaldinho as Rijkaard may decide to reserve Thierry Henry for Wednesday’s game in Glasgow. Bojan could also start at centre forward.
It will be interesting to see how much Rijkaard is thinking about the Champions League, the fact that he rested players in Bilbao before the playing in the Copa del Rey suggests he may do something similar. I believe this would be a mistake in a difficult game. The league is not over yet and Barça need to give it their best shot to keep up the pressure on Madrid.
Barça played their best football of the season against Zaragoza in the 4-1 victory at Camp Nou with a superb performance from Messi. Last season Barça lost 1-0 at La Romareda in the league through a Diego Milito goal, but in the Copa del Rey managed a 1-2 win thanks to goals from Xavi and Iniesta.
If Xavi plays tomorrow it will be his 400th appearance for Barça’s first team since making his debut in 1998.
Barça 18-man squad: Valdés, Pinto, Puyol, Thuram, Marquez, Milito, Abidal, Edmilson, Toure, Xavi, Gudjohnsen, Deco, Iniesta, Messi, Giovani, Bojan, Henry, Ronaldinho.
Possible team: Valdés; Puyol, Marquez, Milito, Abidal; Xavi, Toure, Iniesta; Messi, Bojan, Ronaldinho.
My Prediction: Zaragoza 1 Barça 2
Please send your predictions. Currently leading the predictions league are Blaugrana and e10 with two correct followed by FCB Canada, Nick, Chris and myself with one.
13 responses so far ↓
pep // Feb 15, 2008 at 16:24
It’s only Celtic, so I don’t think we should rest players for that game. Not underestimating Celtic, but come on. And Zambrotta and (especially) Eto’o are already resting, so. Henry kind of asked this week to be played up front (and not on the left), so let’s see how Rijkaard reacts to that…
Siim // Feb 15, 2008 at 16:43
Zaragoza 0 - 0 Barcelona
majik // Feb 15, 2008 at 17:00
I think toure will be a good boost for the defensive side and the squad overall. Let those talented midfielders (iniesta or xavi and deco) get forward more and connect with the strikers.
0-1
Hilal // Feb 15, 2008 at 17:18
I think whether or not we win this game depends a lot on how Rijkaard decides to play our forwards. I think he has been misusing both Messi and Henry the last few weeks and I think that is why we have looked toothless. Messi down the middle is just a waste of talent and Henry on the left is pointless. Put Henry in the middle, where he belongs and Messi on the right and we will win.
Dr.Osmo // Feb 15, 2008 at 17:44
—————————Valdés——————————
——————–Marquez—–Milito———————–
—Puyol——————————————Abidal—–
—————————Toure——————————
——————-Xavi———-Iniesta———————–
——Messi—————————–Ronaldinho———-
————————–Bojan———————————
Frede // Feb 15, 2008 at 19:16
Same tactics as ‘Dr.Osmo’, just put Henry on top instead of Bojan - he can join the game later on. Then we will win the game 2-1
FCB - Canada // Feb 15, 2008 at 20:04
Bah even though I have lost faith in our boys I say 3-0 Barca.
Youssef Gazia // Feb 15, 2008 at 22:59
Never lose faith FCB - Canada.
Blaugrana // Feb 15, 2008 at 23:02
Zaragoza 2-0 barça i hate away games
Rafael // Feb 16, 2008 at 9:11
Barcelona 2-1.
I agree Osmo.
However, I hope Barcelonas form picks up in the 2nd half of the season. We have top top top class players in the world. Come on lets get it done Barca!!
dayib-somali // Feb 16, 2008 at 11:50
kkkk………..my predictions is 1-3 ……and we will start away wining to night.
and goals from R10,H14 and X6
Barca Fan // Feb 16, 2008 at 12:08
My Prediction: Zaragoza 0 Barça 3
Dr.Osmo // Feb 16, 2008 at 22:00
Valdés; Puyol, Márquez, Milito, Abidal; Edmílson, Xavi, Deco; Messi, Henry y Gio.
Iniesta ?
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