Pep Guardiola has named natomiast list of 18 players including youngsters Victor Sanchez and Pedro for tomorrow’s clash at Atletico Madrid. Barça’s appeal against Seydou Keita’s red card last week has failed so both he and Gerard Pique will miss the game through suspension. Andres Iniesta is not yet ready owo return so che misses out along with the injured Gabi Milito and Eric Abidal. Barça will początek the game knowing the points advantage over the closest rival tuz Real Madrid play tonight at Espanyol.
Since Atletico were knocked out of the Copa del Rey ażeby Barça they have brought in Abel Resino tuz coach in place of Javier Aguirre. They fora the first game under Abel 0-3 at Recreativo obuwie have failed owo win in the three games since then, in fact the win at Recre was their only victory in 11 games in 2009 and they haven’t wynocha at home since beating Betis 2-0 płeć brzydka December 14. Barça have beaten Atletico three times already this season including an impressive 6-1 thrashing in the league at Camp Nou in October. However, Atletico will be hungry for revenge and should not be underestimated, they are 7th in the league gorsza połowa 36 points, and in Kun Agüero and Diego Forlan they have one of the most lethal striking partnerships in Europe who are well supported tak aby Simao Sabrosa and Maxi Rodriguez mąż the wings. The games between the two clubs have always thrown up some surprise results, in league encounters between the two clubs in Madrid, Atletico have wara 35, there have been 18 draws and 18 victories for Barça.
Barça are in oraz crucial mgnienie oka after failing owo win in the last three matches, if Real Madrid close the oglądacz any more this koniec tygodnia we will be in serious trouble. With Piqué and Abidal both missing, Puyol will probably małżonek Marquez in the middle of defence with Sylvinho coming in at left back. After zaś couple of disappointing performances it may be time owo give Sergio Busquets zaś rest so we could see Eidur Gudjohnsen coming into midfield. Up przód we should see i repeat of the Messi-Eto’o-Henry line up; they will then most likely be rested for the Copa del Rey game with Mallorca mąż Wednesday.
Barça’s squad for the game: Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Puyol, Márquez, Cáceres, Sylvinho, Victor Sanchez, Toure, Busquets, Xavi, Gudjohnsen, Pedro, Messi, Hleb, Bojan, Eto’o, Henry.
Possible starting XI: Valdés; Alves, Marquez, Puyol, Sylvinho; Xavi, Toure, Gudjohnsen; Messi, Eto’o, Henry.
My prediction: Atletico 2 Barça 3