Abidal returns from liver surgery and CL formation

Hey hey! Foxsoccer reports that Abidal is back...

Based on this info: Pep will probably go for the following formation:

F:    Messi, Villa, Pedro
M:   Iniesta, Xavi,  Busquets
D:    Puyol, Pique, Mascherano, Alves

Reserves: Abidal, Afellay, Keita, and a Team B GK.

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The Big Mouth's team is missing his key defensive components (Pepe and Ramos) and will have to rely on a more attack-minded formation as follows:

F:      Hinguin
W:    Di Maria & C. Ronaldo
M:     Alonso & Ozil/Kaka
DM:  Diarra
D:     Marcelo, Carhalvo, Albiola, Arbeloa

Reserves:  Benzema, Adebayor

This formation should be countered by our previous Clasico formation with Busquests and Keita, which this armchair manager would like to look like either 4-4-2 (Iniesta as a midfielder) or 4-3-3 (with Iniesta out on left to toy with the thin Madrid defense)

F:    Iniesta, Messi, Villa/Pedro/Afellay
M:   Xavi, Keita, Busquets
D:    Puyol, Pique, Mascherano, Alves

With Afellay and Pedro coming with 15-30 minutes left and Abidal in the 90th minute.

Visca Barcelona and enjoy the game!!!

See this link --> Barcelona's Abidal returns from liver surgery

4 more Clasicos, any one?

Hidy-ho,

Well...

Let's start with the expected Saturday line-up:
F:   Messi, Villa, Pedro (a.k.a., MVP, as fellow www.BarcelonaFootballBlog.com colleagues would say)
M:  Xavi, Iniesta, Keita
D:  Adriano, Pique, Busquets, Alves

Madrid should field a "familiar" team to hide a potentially different CL line-up:
F:    Benzema
W:  De Maria, Cristiano
M:  Xabi, Ozil, Khidera
D:   Marcelo, Carvalho, Pepe, Ramos

Reserves: Kaka for Ozil or Xabi, and Higuain or Adebayor for Benzema, and Diarra for Khidera.

Both coaches have declared their intentions to send in their best players and the Big Mouth has all his strikers on the ready (the Frenchman, the Togolese, the Portuguese, & the Argentinian).  I expect a tough game, in which the Big Mouth's battle tactic is to weaken FCB as part of his overall CL/Copa del Rey War Strategy.  Imagine, FCB without an injured Messi or a Xavi, or Pique for the next 3 weeks.  It will be easy for Ramos and Pepe to squash the smaller FCB player.  Moron-hu plays defensive football and will give the nod to his players to be "extra" physical.  I hope the referee will be able to keep Madrid under control, especially in front of their crowd.

Personally, I would be happy to concede a draw against a maturer Madrid team and focus our strength on the CL, for if the Big Mouth can't make it to the CL, he'll make sure that FCB will pay the price.  I can imagine him plotting his "scorched earth" plan; FCB will be so weak by the time they get to the final (if they do), even the opponents B team will give FCB a hard time.

On the other hand, a simple 1 goal victory at White Castle's (not the burger joint) would strike a severe mental blow to the Madridistas, who are desperately seeking revenge for the past 5 losses and especially for the last 5-0 humiliation, in order to believe in themselves again.

Copa del Rey:
I think that team B got the Copa and deserve to play the Copa even if they do get mauled:

F:     Afellay, Jeffren, and an MVP component (I feel sorry for Bojan, he's just so unlucky)
M:    Thiago, Dos Santos, and Keita
D:     Maxwell, Milito, Fontas, and Alves
KG:  Pinto

I say let's give this bone to the dogs, even though I think that this dog is smart enough to not take the bait and is OBSESSED in the T-Bone steak, the Champions League, after having tasted it twice before.

Champions League:
The loss of Moron-hu's rock in defense Carvalho is a severe blow, especially with hot-heads Pepe and Ramos.  This aspect should lessen the severity of our own losses in defense (Puyol and Abidal) rendering Madrid prone to our attacks.  Recall that Madrid's players are not used to playing on three fronts at the same time.  We have to win in the first leg when Madrid is without Carvalho!!!

Expected FCB CL Line-up:
F:    Messi, Villa, Pedro
M:   Iniesta, Xavi, Mascehrano
D:    Adriano, Pique, Busquets, and Alves

I have to admit, I did not think that the Big Mouth could bring the players this far.

Overall, we only need to win 2 of the 4 four games but not the Cope del Rey.

All the best!

Barcelona's Shakhtar line-up

OK folks, with the return of Xavi and Pedro, here's FCB's expected CL line-up:


F:       Messi, Pedro, and Villa (but prefer Maxwell wide left to counter the condensed mass of defenders on the edge of the box)
M:      Xavi, Iniesta, Mascherano
D:       Adriano, Pique, Busquets, Alves
GK:    Valdez


Alternatively, Iniesta can play out wide left with Kieta/Afellay in the mid-field.


Let's make this very clear, Shakhtar is dangerous! Even Cruyff, has expressed his fears.  Why? They've got Brazilians everywhere, everywhere!!!


Thanks to Mistress Kari @ Barcelona Football Blog, I can share this analysis with you:


See this link --> Who Are Shakhtar and What Can We Expect?


First, Shakhtar have a disciplined back line led by Dymtro Chygrynskiy who spent a season with FCB recently & is complemented by their Croatian version of Dani Alves, Darijo Srna.


Second, Shaktar employs 2 defensive mid-fielders who are complemented by two Brazilian wingers who will track Alves & Adriano and thus possibly reduce their contributions.


Third, our back-line has been our Achilles Heel and it will fall upon Mascherano to stop Brazilian attacking midfielder, Jadson, from creating fast and dangerous counter-attacks.


Fourth, Brazilian Luiz Adriano has been spectacular in the lone striker position!  He will cause problems for Pique if he is not at his sharpest (best not to have Shakira in Barcelona or Europe for that matter).


Thus, any FCB onslaught will most probably be countered with 8 players in defense to contain Messi & company in the 1st half.  That will mean that FCB will have possession but remain susceptible to speedy counter attacks & long-range attempts (effective against Valdez).


In summary, FCB will have to maintain control over the ball, keep pressing, play out wide to counter the condensed formation in the box, and stay alert in the back for any sudden counter attacks.  FCB will have to win at home (and win big)!


Happy hunting gentlemen and good luck.

Iniesta is a father

Congratulations to Andres Iniesta! He is the father of Valeria, born on April 3rd.

All the best to you and your family!

Barcelona's expected line-up at the El Madrigal

OK, based on our current injuries and with an eye towards the Champions League game, here is my line up:

F:     Afellay (L), Villa (C), Bojan
M:    Iniesta, Keita, Mascherano
D:     Adriano (L), Pique, Busquets, Alves (R)
GK:  Valdez

Reserves: Messi, Thiago and Jeffren

El Madrigal is a difficult stadium with an even more difficult crowd (kudos to the Villarreal fans for their loyalty) as such I would like to see the team play a physical first half (Keita and Mascherano) and slow the tempo of the game but bring in the heat in the 2nd half with Messi and Jeffren, if needed.  I would like to see Messi saved for the CL game later in the week and not risk an injury especially after the last scare.  I've included Afellay after his strong showing in the Euro qualifiers (I hope he shines and stays with the team).

For Villearreal, Nilmar and Rossi will want to impress Barcelona and show what they're made of.

Prediction? Based on the above and the fact that we don't do good when we come back from international games, I think it will be a hard earned draw...

Enjoy the game!