FC BARCELONA
v
SPORTING DE GIJON
Camp Nou, Barcelona
September 22, 2010, 1800 GMT
The defending champions embark on a journey to protect their only silverware of last season. The absence of talismanic striker, Lionel Messi, will indeed prevent Barca from playing their mesmerising brand of football. Nonetheless the Catalans have a good enough team to win against any top side in Europe without the Argentine. Sporting de Gijon maybe one of the few ‘lucky’ ones who will not have to face the almost unstoppable Argentine, but getting all three points from the Camp Nou is very difficult albeit not impossible.
Pep Guardiola has stated that the player’s ankle injury is not too serious –
“Messi came off the pitch crying and in great shock. It could have been worse, but in the dressing room the doctors ruled out a break“.
After having a tumultuous start to their league campaign, the Catalans now see one of their most vital lieutenants out for at least a couple of weeks which includes the upcoming game at home against Sporting de Gijon, away at Athletic Club and another crucial away tie at Russia against Rubin Kazan amongst others.
The match against Sporting de Gijon might just see Andres Iniesta playing a more advanced role with Pedro and Villa to form a three-man attack. Javier Mascherano, in all probabilities, will be getting a start along with Xavi and Busquets in midfield. Bojan’s lack of form might just cost him a berth in the starting line-up. But keeping in mind some challenging away matches, the Barca manager might just be tempted to keep him in shape by handing the youngster a few precious minutes. Eric Abidal isn’t available for this match either which means his Brazilian counterpart will be getting yet another start.
The match would see Sporting manager Manuel Preciado meeting the Catalan giants for the 5th time with Sporting de Gijon. Unfortunately for the visitors, FC Barcelona has won all the four encounters, the most closely contested match being a 0-1 win away at El Molinón.
Sporting, too have their share of injuries. Veteran Spanish striker Nacho Novo is side-lined because of a hamstring injury. The former Rangers man might also miss their weekend’s tie against Valencia. Sporting have four points so far, but were pegged back from 2-0 up by Bilbao at home on Saturday and lost their only away match 4-0 to Atletico on the opening weekend of the season
Probable Starting Lineups
FC Barcelona: Valdes(GK), Puyol, Pique, Alves, Maxwell, Mascherano, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Villa, Pedro.
Sporting de Gijon: Colinas(GK), Gregory, Botia, Canella, Ramos, Equren, Rivera, Gimenez, Cuevas, Sangoy, Luis Moran.
TheHardTackle’s PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR:
David Villa (FC Barcelona)
It is quite common that players in attacking positions hog most of the limelight. Moreover in the absence of the little Argentine, the Spanish superstar will be the pivot of the Catalans attack in the final third. With some very decent performances for the home side, David Villa is THT’s Player To Watch Out For.
Past encounters:
2009-10: FC Barcelona 3-0 Sporting de Gijon; Sporting de Gijon 0-1 FC Barcelona
2008-09: FC Barcelona 3-1 Sporting de Gijon; Sporting Gijon 1-6 FC Barcelona
TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION:
FC Barcelona 3-0 Sporting de Gijon.