Champions League Preview: Barça-Wisla Krakow
Wednesday, 13 August 08, 07:29 AM · Comments (13)
Pep Guardiola has named the 22 players available for tonight's vital Champions League first leg tie with Wisla Krakow. But the best news was the announcement from Guardiola that Samuel Eto'o will stay at the club this season "because he wants it and I want it" This is an excellent boost for us all going into the new season, no more idle talk of Drogba or Adebayor, we have the best and he's staying with us.
Barça will have to guard against complacency after showing great form in the five friendly games so far. A slip up tonight would have catastrophic consequences at the club which could ultimately effect the team for the entire season. The fact that the last time Wisla visited Camp Nou Barça could only manage a 1-0 win may be a sign that things won't be so easy tonight. Nevertheless a victory by at least two goals must be the least Barça expect to take from the game.
Wisla have doubts about Brazilian defender Cleber and midfielder Piotr Brozek though the latest reports suggest that both players will be ok to play. Top Scorer Pawel Brozek will probably play as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation as coach Maciej Slorza tries to crowd Barça in midfield.
Of Barça's five new signings only Alexandr Hleb has never played at Camp Nou. Dani Alves, Keita and Hleb could all start while Caceres and Pique are more likely to be named as substitutes. There is also a place in the squad for Jeffren, Pedro, Victor Vazquez and Busquets who have all performed well for the first team in preseason.
Barça's 22-man squad: Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Puyol, Caceres, Marquez, Pique, Abidal, Sylvinho, Toure, Keita, Xavi, Gudjohnsen, Busquets, Victor Vazquez, Iniesta, Pedro, Bojan, Hleb, Eto'o, Henry, Jeffren.
Possible starting XI: Valdés, Alves, Marquez, Puyol, Abidal; Xavi, Keita, Iniesta; Hleb, Eto'o, Henry.
My Prediction: Barça 3 Wisla 0
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It should be a massacre. Lets hope the nerves don't get the best of them. 5-0 Barca.
It's good to know that Eto'o will finally be staying, I hope he has an excellent season and fires us to the titles.
3-1 to Barca
Yes im glad Eto'o is staying. After the Barca vs NY Red Bulls game the entire team had gone into the dressing room, meanwhile Eto'o stayed and walked around the field. I think it had to do with everything that was surrounding him at the time. It was a good game....and i was there 
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I predict 5 - 0. To Barca, of course. I'm sure we will win, i am only concerned about us playing some beautiful Football.
Love it that your previews are back, Nic. Missed them. 
The Polish side is not a weak one but we should be superior. Wisla is famous for its violent ultra groups, hopefully they won't do any damage tonight.
Barcelona 2 - 0 Wisla Krakow
Glad that Eto'o is staying on. He's been in great form and his dedication to training and playing regardless his future has been very admirable.
Barça 5 -1 Wisla Krakow
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My prediction: 4-0... Two from Eto'o, one from Xavi and one from Hleb.
Great f*cking news about Eto'o btw!
Barca 4 Wisla 1.
Hopefully Henry can find some form......sad that we are already saying that before the season begins