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Barca Team News
FC Barcelona 4-3-3 ****
Messi (r)(att) expected to return to first XI duty... Etoo (k)(att) fails to make the squad.. Thuram (sp)(def) may return to the squad... The reigning European champions are favourites for this tie, but after a defeat to Valencia, and the continuing absence of Etoo (k), problems abound for the Catalan side. After the good win over Racing Santander in the previous week, Barca seemed to have turned the corner, but Valencia's containing performance against a Barca team full of possession - but not that much else - will have lowered morale. The forward line may change in an attempt to add more of a cutting edge. Ronaldinho (k) did manage a goal on Sunday - he performed fairly well but his form has been up and down in recent weeks - and will of course start on the left, with Gudjonsen (sp) possibly in the middle ahead of Saviola (r), despite a disappointing match against Los Che. Messi (r) has recovered, and indeed played a part as a substitute in La Liga, and will almost certainly start. At the back, things are suspect. Zambrotta (r) holds himself responsible for one of the goals in the 2-1 defeat at Valencia but seems likely to line up. It was thought that Rijkaard may opt for Gio van Bronckhorst (sp) at left-back but this seems unlikely. Edmilson (r) was taken off for Giuly (r) in the defeat at Valencia but is like to start again as Rijkaard seeks stability. That said, Thuram (sp) - long since out with injury - has declared himself fit to play. A midfield of Xavi (r), Marquez (r) and Deco (r) will seek to balance attack with defence. Strangely, the experienced Barca side only narrowly escaped from the group stage. The away draw to Werder was courtesy of a last minute goal from Messi; had Barca lost that game, they may well have gone onto UEFA Cup football. That said, when playing as favourites at home, they tended to do well, winning two and drawing against Chelsea at Nou Camp, Chelsea similarly getting out of jail with a last minute equaliser. At home, Barca are formidable, regardless of the circumstances.
Suspended ----
Unavailable Samuel Eto'o (k)(att)
Doubtful ----
On the Bench Albert Jorquera (gk), Andres Iniesta (sp)(mid), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (sp)(def), Javier Saviola (sp)(att), Lilian Thuram (sp)(def), Ludovic Giuly (r)(att), Oleguer (sp)(def)
Probable Starting 11 Victor Valdes, Juliano Belletti, Carles Puyol, Edmilson, Gianluca Zambrotta, Xavi, Rafael Marquez, Luis Deco, Lionel Messi, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Ronaldinho
Players
(k) - Key players
(r) - Regular first choice players
(sp) - Support players
Team strength according to available players
***** - Excellent
**** - Good
*** - Satisfactory
** - Just Adequate
* - Poor
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