REAL ZARAGOZA
v
FC BARCELONA
Zaragoza, Aragon
October 23, 2010, 21:30 IST
Defending champions FC Barcelona will be without Xavi Hernandez and Gabriel Milito when they travel to La Romareda on Saturday. The Spain international has been suffering from Achilles tendon problems and only made an appearance as a substitute for the final 20 minutes of the Champions League match against FC Copenhagen on Wednesday evening.
Barcelona faced Valencia last weekend and fought back to snatch all three points at the Camp Nou. Xavi was instrumental in this victory, creating both the goals for the host. In their mid-week clash against FC Copenhagen, Lionel Messi scored a brace to ensure that Barca stays at the top of their group table in UEFA Champions League. The Catalans have been immaculate in their away games this season. They have snatched maximum points from all three away league games; moreover, two successive victories against two tough teams indicate that the defending champions are in the right frame of mind to start as favourites against Zaragoza.
Los Manos is currently at the bottom of the table and is win-less. It has been a horrendous start to their campaign and coach Jose Aurelio Gay’s job is at stake. Taking on Barcelona at this juncture isn’t exactly the best thing they would have hoped for. The Blanquillos suffered their forth defeat of the season against Athletic Bilbao last weekend. With just three points in seven matches, Zaragoza need to pick up their game in order to avoid yet another relegation. Besides their on-field problems, the Los Manos are plagued with other issues as well. Italian centre-back Matteo Contini was reportedly sent away from the main body of players after failing to show the correct attitude towards head coach Gay.
A free-flowing Barcelona is somehow missing. A team which had scored 105 league goals in 2008-09 (at an average of 2.76 goals per match) and 98 league goals in 2009-08 (at an average of 2.58 goals per match) now has only 12 goals from 7 matches, averaging below 2 goals per match. Absence of key personnel has been the main reason. Xavi has been suffering for quite sometime now and Pedro, Messi, Villa too missed games, either due to injury or suspension. Bojan too has been off colour and hasn’t been able to deliver.
Javier Mascherano has finally shown his class in the mid-week clash against FC Copenhagen. In the absence of Xavi, not only did the Argentine act as in imposing character in the midfield, but also contributed towards attack. He earned the praise of coach Guardiola for his display and Busquets too has been impressed. “He will give us a lot and it’s a pleasure to play alongside him. He needs to pick up the tactics of the position a little, which is difficult, but with his characteristics I am sure he will adapt quickly,” said the 22-year-old. Statistics speak for Masche. He recovered most possession with 13 tackles in the game and just a single foul. The Argentine captain also made 81 successful passes which is just 5 behind Busquets.
Thiago Alcantara has been included in the squad in place of Xavi. The promising midfielder can expect some crucial playing time against Zaragoza. Víctor Valdés, who missed Wednesday’s game with a stomach upset, is included and this morning he trained normally with the rest of the players. The hosts on the other hand can be relieved after the return of Czech midfielder/defender, Jiri Jarosik. Although they will be without Hungarian Adam Pinter because of a ban. Matteo Contini’s spot in the first eleven might just be under suspicion after his problems with Jose Aurelio Gay. Leo France, Victor Laguardia and Ikechukwu Uche are all still out with injury problems.
Probable Starting Line-Ups:
FC Barcelona: Valdes(GK), Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal, Busquets, Iniesta, Mascherano, Messi, Villa, Bojan
Real Zaragoza: Antonio Doblas(GK), Jiri Jarosik, Ivan Obradovic, Maurizio Lanzaro, Leonardo Ponzio, Carlos Diogo, Gabi, Nobrega Braulio, Sinama-Pongolle, Herrera, Bertolo
TheHardTackle’s PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR:
Javier Mascherano (FC Barcelona)
After a fabulous performance against the Danish Champions, Masche is the player to watch out for. He thus put an end to a run of games in which he’d not won a game as a member of the starting eleven with Barcelona. Mascherano, affectionately known as “The Boss” in Argentina, finally arrived. He completed an astonishing 81 passes in his last game which is just 5 behind Sergio Busquets, a La Masia product. Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Mascherano after the game.“He’s a player who knows how to read the game when we are going forward and use the long ball. As a human being, he’s a great guy. He’s won over the squad with his attitude and we really like that kind of person. He’s the captain of Argentina and at his age, that’s for a reason” said Pep Guardiola.
Past Encounters:
2009-10: FC Barcelona 6-1 Real Zaragoza; Real Zaragoza 2-4 FC Barcelona
2007-08: FC Barcelona 4-1 Real Zaragoza; Real Zaragoza 1-2 FC Barcelona
2006-07: Real Zaragoza 1-0 FC Barcelona
TheHardTackle’s Prediction:
Real Zaragoza 0-3 FC Barcelona