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Home > FIFA > UEFA > Spain > La Liga > Barcelona > FCBnews > Champions League Preview: Sporting Lisbon - Barça

Champions League Preview: Sporting Lisbon - Barça

Tuesday, 25 November 08, 08:27 PM · Comments(19)

Dani Alves in action in the first game with Sporting which Barça won 3-1 in Camp Nou

Barça arrived in Lisbon today with 18 players including Leo Messi ready to fight for the win that will guarantee us top spot in Group C of this season's Champions League. Rafa Marquez also returns but there is no place for either Carles Puyol or Toure Yaya who Pep Guardiola has decided to give a rest. Barça lead the group on 10 points with Sporting just a point behind, both teams have already qualified for the last 16, but tomorrow's game could well determine which of the two finishes top. Three points will earn us first place while a draw will leave us needing a victory in the last group match at home to Shakhtar Donetsk on December 9th, if we lose, however, we will have to hope that Basle do us a favour in their last game at home to Sporting.

Sporting are without ex-blaugrana Fabio Rochemback, Vukcevic, Abel and Tonel who scored Sporting's goal in the first game between the clubs at Camp Nou which Barça won 3-1 (click here for a report on that game). They also have doubts over the fitness of Pedro Silva, Izmailov and Caneira. In the Portuguese league Sporting are only fourth with 16 points from 9 games, they have already lost two games at home to Leixoes and Porto. Last weekend they won 0-1 at Naval with a first half goal from Liedson.

I have to say I am not sure about leaving out Puyol and Toure, but I suppose Guardiola must have seen that they are not at 100% and with the big league games coming up maybe it is for the best. Presumably Messi will start on the bench and only be used if things are not going our way. Txiki Begiristain has called tomorrow's match "the most important of the season so far". He may be right, though losing and finishing second would not be the biggest disaster and also being the most important game doesn't make it the most difficult. I'm pleased they take it totally seriously and hopefully it will help the players to stay focused; however, Sporting should not cause us too many problems if we play as we have for most of the last two months.

I imagine Sylvinho will continue at left back with Marquez coming in to partner Piqué. Busquets should fill in for Toure with Xavi and either Keita or Gudjohnsen in midfield. Up front expect a return for Thierry Henry on the left with Eto'o in the middle. On the right it is anyone's guess of whether Bojan, Hleb or Pedro gets to fill in for Messi, unless of course Messi gets a surprise start.

Barça's 18-man squad: Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Marquez, Piqué, Caceres, Sylvinho, Busquets, Victor Sanchez, Xavi, Gudjohnsen, Keita, Hleb, Messi, Pedro, Eto'o, Bojan, Henry.

Possible starting XI: Valdés; Alves, Marquez, Piqué, Sylvinho; Xavi, Busquets, Gudjohnsen; Hleb, Eto'o, Henry.

My Prediction: Sporting 1 Barça 2

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Tags: UEFA Champions League 08/09, Match Reports

Topics: UEFA Champions League 08/09

Posted by fcbnews_nic | Comments (19)

19 Comments · Add yours

1. Barca-Boy Wrote: | 22.25CET | Nov 25, 2008

This is a very big game.
We need a win to get our confidence back B4 the ig games and a draw at the very least.
Don't let us down barca

2. Barca-Boy Wrote: | 22.25CET | Nov 25, 2008

i mean big**

3. Aztecca Wrote: | 22.37CET | Nov 25, 2008

Sporting Lisbon 1 - 1 Barcelona

It would be nice to win though. I agree, Nic, finishing second in the group wouldn't be a disaster. As we're through already we should concentrate on Liga right now. I understand why Pep decided to keep Puyol and Toure at home. Good luck, Barça.

4. nigerianbarcafan Wrote: | 23.10CET | Nov 25, 2008

I think we should concentrate on Liga,our match with Sporting will be a great game,but it will end 2-2.
My Prediction Sporting 2-2 Barcelona.

5. layibiyi Wrote: | 23.20CET | Nov 25, 2008

sporting 1- 2 barca

valdes, alves, pique, marquez, caceres, busquets, keita, xavi, hleb, bojan, henry

6. shahenshah Wrote: | 03.45CET | Nov 26, 2008

After a 1-1 draw at home, barca beat sporting 3-0

after another 1-1 draw at home, barca beat sporting 3-0? I mean they have to be motivated right?

7. MikeM Wrote: | 10.07CET | Nov 26, 2008

I would like to see Caceras start, inorder to rest Pique, we paid 16mil for him, surely he is great ...

Barca 2-1

8. FCB-Holland Wrote: | 10.56CET | Nov 26, 2008

I agree that finishing second is not bad but I think finishing first maybe more advantageous . If Barça can win the group , a tougher tie against tougher clubs can be avoided ( Chelsea, Manchester United/ Villarreal, Juventus, Arsenal) . However , winning the group could result in interesting matchups; Real Madrid, Villarreal or Atletico Madrid !! I would love to see Barça win the group then face Madrid in the next round and eliminate them ?

9. Paul Wrote: | 12.50CET | Nov 26, 2008

Barca-Holland barca cant face Villarreal, athletico or madrid in the first knockout round cause the rules say teams from the same country cant face each other in the last 16. We can play each other in the last eight but not in the last 16. Meaning that we may have an easier last 16 draw like roma, anorthosis, porto and lyon(maybe), but we may also get liverpool who are second in their group.

10. FCB-Holland Wrote: | 13.50CET | Nov 26, 2008

Paul :
Good point . Sorry for the oversight !!

11. Frede Wrote: | 15.53CET | Nov 26, 2008

1-1

12. blaugranaboy Wrote: | 17.27CET | Nov 26, 2008

i know this is off topic, but bear with me:

wow, people really got a bit touchy about the bojan comments last weekend. but id really like to clarify something, i never once said bojan wasnt a good player with talent nor did i ever suggest he should leave the club in any shape or form. all i said is that i have my doubts over his professional future. is dont think there is anything extreme about that.

firstly, i think his size is a hurdle. he is 18 and will grow more, but he isnt going to change that much i dont rate, and frankly i feel players that lack physical presence are struggling more and more in the game. messi may be small but he is blessed with unbelievable skills and pace, but he bulked up a lot too.

otherwise, i dont see how he will fit into a team where right now Etoo is the number one striker, at only 27 (or so), and that isnt going to change. add to that, barcelona and many fans here are obsessed about signing benzema. so tell me if barca sign benzema, who is almost as young as bojan, where bojan fits in then? frankly, if barca continue to play a 4-3-3, with only one true center forward, then i have doubts over him getting enough playing time with etoo and maybe benzema in his way. and i dont feel he will ever adapt to the wing, playres are naturally good at positions and usually only excel in their natural preference.

many players do fantastic in the youth levels and then struggle in professional football. one that comes to find most is portillo, who broke all raul's youth records. it may not be a great example, seeing madrid have not nutured their own playres in many yeras, but it has some relevance.

so really, people got upset about comments, maybe mine, but all i did was raise my doubts about bojan in the long term. i really dont think thats very out of line at all. maybe i did lose sight of his young age a bit, and i do want him to achieve his promise. obviously only time will tell.

13. Diatus Wrote: | 19.57CET | Nov 26, 2008

@Blau

I think you have some valid points but I hope you see where I am coming from with my critique and I apologize if I offended you or anyone else for these things should never be personal. I think you are a great fan to have on this board (Nic, too)...and you contribute great stuff on a daily basis. I enjoy reading your comments on every topic but I hope you see my logic in my posts!

14. aussie_barca Wrote: | 21.31CET | Nov 26, 2008

guys...that was a moment...did u feel it? that was special!

15. El Wrote: | 21.38CET | Nov 26, 2008

Men, do you see this football lesson for pupils of Sporting school? OMG, they play one touch ball, just pure class! Hleb and Caraces plays the best match in Barca shirt for surely. Pique - great play!!

16. El Wrote: | 21.47CET | Nov 26, 2008

sorry guys, I meant Cacares

17. nigerianbarcafan Wrote: | 23.14CET | Nov 26, 2008

That was a wonderful moment for Barca,no one played better than other,everyone played well,that was a great team spirit.

18. Diatus Wrote: | 00.00CET | Nov 27, 2008

Great Passing, great defending (starting with the forwards), nice performance to watch. I am glad to see Guddy have a good game, Henry and Bojan get on the scoresheet!!!