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FC Barcelona
Estadio Municipal El Molinon
February 12th, 2011, 12:30 PM IST (2000 HRS BST)
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FC Barcelona will be travelling to El Molinon, hoping to extend their lead at the front. They are 7 points clear off Real Madrid, who aren’t letting up an inch of space. Last week they set a new record of 16 consecutive wins in the league, beating a 50-year old record, set by the great Real Madrid side. They are also targeting their 11th consecutive away win this season. It has been a great week for the club with Guardiola committing one more year of his future to the club.
It was a Messi-less Barca, that took on Sporting Gijon on September 22, 2010, in which the hosts were made to work hard for their win. Most of Barcelona’s first team members have played for their respective countries during the mid-week and with their Champions League match against Arsenal coming up, Pep will be looking to rotate the squad.
Sporting now finds itself just a solitary point from the drop zone and hanging for their dear lives. Gijon’s coach Preciado may be an admirer of Barca’s stylish game and Pep, but he will not make it easy for Barca to pick up the win.
Preciado: “I’ve never seen any team play like this Barça. The best of Guardiola and his staff is that they make Messi, Xavi and Iniesta run“
Team News and Tactical Brief
Sporting de Gijon
Sporting Gijon lost their first game against Barca with Villa’s goal separating the two sides. However, Preciado thinks he could make something happen. He said, “I’ve never seen anything better, but Barcelona are not invincible.” Even though he sounds optimistic, in reality he has a depleted squad, hammered by injuries and suspensions. Alberto Lora and Gregory Arnolin are both suspended for this game and both were very vital for their defense.
Their midfielder Castro managed to give away their strategy by saying “We know how difficult it will be. We will have to be very together in defense, defend well and create danger on the counter-attack.” Though this may not be a big secret considering most teams take this approach against Barca to get something because attacking them could prove suicidal
Expected Strategy:
- Defending deep and staying close to mark out spaces between the lines
- Essentially waiting for an opening to play on the counter.
Probable Starting Eleven: Juan Pablo (GK), Lopez, Sastre, Botia, Canella, Cuevas, Eguren, Rivera, Castro, Carmelo, Sangoy
FC Barcelona
With Pep committing his immediate future, the dressing room seems to have a vibrant feeling in Barca. Valdes said, “The sensations are even better than the year we won the treble.” They know the league is far from over and it is necessary to fight for every point that is available. “The league is over when we are champions mathematically and second place can’t catch us,” said Villa underlying the very fact.
What follows is a important streak of matches, which include a trip to London. The onus lies on Guardiola to steer the Barcelona ship out of danger and to take it to the shore safely. With such tight schedules, injuries and fatigue are normality. With all the first team members on action last Wednesday, Pep would look to give some rest to his key men. Puyol and Jeffren are definitely out with injuries and Pep might call upon the services of Mascherano and Keita in the starting lineup. Afellay and Bojan will be expecting more time in the middle as substitutes.
Expected Strategy:
- A possession based high pressure game as always.
- Villa and Pedro to provide width and with Messi playing his usual false 9 role.
- Mascherano will be patrolling just in front of the defense.
Probable Starting Eleven: Valdes (GK), Alves, Adriano, Abidal, Pique, Keita, Mascherano, Iniesta, Messi, Pedro, Villa.
Key Facts
1. Barcelona has more defeats than victories in El Molinon.
2. Barcelona continues to set records in terms of goals, points and wins. This will be a record 17th game if they manage to win.
TheHardTackle’s PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR
Iniesta (FC Barcelona)
The unassuming superstar who is having a perfect season, unlike last season, is one of the differentiating factors this season, for the Spanish Champions. A fully fit Iniesta can be devastating. He has proved this time and again. The diminutive Spaniard is an impossible target to snatch the ball from. With his ballet-like moves, he glides through defenses to provide a constant supply of deadly ammunitions to his front line attack. He is therefore TheHardTackle’s player to watch out for.
TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION
Sporting de Gijon 0-2 FC Barcelona
Barcelona would be looking to get the three points with their usual flair. Even if Gijon may be at the wrong side of the table, they have shown in the past that they have the ability to put up a fight. This will be an important match considering the UCL round of 16 matches coming up and a victory will be highly motivating for Pep and his team.
TheHardTackle’s BLAST FROM THE PAST
