With Milan knocking at the door of Camp Nou. Barca will hope to raise their confidence with a convincing victory over relegation threatened Deportivo la Coruna. While Deportivo will look to make more of the opportunity given by Barca because they will look to rest most of their regular starters.
Playing 11
With Pique and Valdes suspended, Pinto will command the goal with Mascherano in defense for Pique. Hamstring strain will keep Bartra out of the squad. Unfortunate for him to be out when when golden opportunity to start knocked on his door. Busquets, Alves, Alba and Iniesta likely to be rested for the all important Milan game. Song likely to be summoned off the bench to play as holding midfielder. Thiago will start in place of injured Xavi and Cesc Fabregas will complete the midfield trio. Montoya can be handed a start for Alves with, the man who impressed everyone in the first half of the season with his gritty displays Adriano on the opposite flank. Puyol will be leading the defense. Now comes the most interesting part, the attacking three. With Pedro returning after overcoming a flu, he will likely to be rested too. Sanchez will start on right flank. The man who hates to be rested, Messi might start too unless Roura thinks otherwise. Left flank can be filled in by Villa or Tello. Both high on confidence, whoever starts should grab the oppurtunity ahead of vital Champions league clash.
While Barca have their problems with some players injured, suspended and rested, Deportivo are facing suspensions and injuries too. Ze Castro, Kaka and Riki are all out injured for Deportivo, while Carlos Marchena is suspended.Youngster Pablo Insua is expected to partner Aythami in the centre of defence.
Barcelona Tactics
This is actually a vital match for the Catalan giants after two successive defeats at the hands their biggest rivals Real Madrid and havingwon only one of their last four matches, Roura has put on his thinking cap on and try something different. He has to hit two birds with one stone with resting key players as well as grinding out a win to get necessary momentum going into the all important UCL tie for them. Also players who dont get much minutes like Song, Montoya, Adriano and most importantly Sanchez needs to be come good in this match after probably starting Messi, scoring in 16 consecutive liga games, should not play full 90 mins but back himself with a goal or two just to be on song and high on confidence for Milan game.
Did you know (Courtesy- goal.com)
- Barcelona have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions.
- The Catalan giants have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 13 matches across all competitions.
- Lionel Messi has scored in a record 16 consecutive Liga appearances.
- Deportivo La Coruna ended a six-match losing run with a goalless draw at home to Rayo Vallecano last weekend.
- The Galician outfit have lost four of their last five meetings with Barcelona.
- Deportivo's last win over Barca at Camp Nou was a 2-0 success in October 2003.
Expectation from the match
We could be in for another goalfest and a thriller like their previous 4-5 meeting with barca winning by a goal. though Barca have 3 points to take and continue their excellent run in liga, Deportivo will be looking get all 3 points as well to rescue themselves from relegation.
Players to watch out for
Barcelona- Montoya, Sanchez, Tello and Thiago
Deportivo - Pizzi, A. Aguilar, Valeron and Insua
Prediction
Barcelona will feel like wounded tigers and will want to comeback in style but Deportivo will create chances and score them too. Barcelona to edge this one though.
No comments:
Post a Comment