Copa Del Rey Preview: Valencia-Barça
Wednesday, 19 March 08, 04:15 PM · Comments (33)
Ronaldinho Gaucho has been left out of the 16-man squad for tomorrow night's Copa del Rey semi final second leg despite declaring a willingness to play whether he was 100% fit or not. Ronaldinho was criticized in the press this week when doctors claimed he was not injured after he dropped out of a training session claiming he felt a slight pain. Toure Yaya, however, has been included for the game despite his back problems. He should be applauded for his commitment to the team.
Valencia need a win to save a season that has gone from bad to worse. Since gaining a creditable 1-1 draw in the first leg at Camp Nou, they have lost 2-0 at Espanyol, drawn 2-2 at home to Deportivo and last Saturday they lost 1-2 at home to Sevilla. Their problems were highlighted by their president Juan Soler leaving the club last week. Coach Ronald Koeman has all his most important players available for the game except for Vicente who is injured.
As well as Toure, Barça also have Zambrotta back after suspension which should mean Puyol moves back to central defence at the expense of Thuram. Sylvinho may get a chance after Abidal was blamed for both Almeria's goals, and Toure will probably play in place of Edmilson. Thierry Henry, who has performed well in the cup, may get a chance to return in attack. Messi, Deco, Giovani, Marquez and Jorquera are all still out injured while Oleguer Presas has been left out after taking a knock on the same finger that has kept him out for the last month. Santi Ezquerro is fit again but has not been included for technical reasons.
This match is extremely important as it could end up being the turning point of the season. After last year's debacle against Getafe in the cup it would be great to be in another final. Barça need to win or gain a high scoring draw as away goals count after 90 minutes. Scoring twice will almost certainly be the key to getting through. In December Barça won 0-3 in Mestalla, but I imagine things will be a bit tougher tomorrow evening.
Valencia have named the following 18 for the match, of which two will be left out before the start: Hildebrand, Mora, Caneira, Miguel, Helguera, Marchena, Albiol, Moretti, Edu, Mata, Joaquín, Banega, Maduro, Baraja, Arizmendi, Silva, Morientes, Villa.
Barça's sixteen: Valdés, Pinto, Zambrotta, Puyol, Thuram, Milito, Abidal, Sylvinho, Edmilson, Toure, Xavi, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen, Bojan, Eto'o, Henry.
Possible starting XI: Valdés, Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Sylvinho, Xavi, Toure, Iniesta, Bojan, Eto'o, Henry.
My prediction: Valencia 0 Barça 2
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John - There is nothing in the Spanish press. The rumours about Ronaldinho however are constant, I've learned to ignore them as they are never proven. The quote about Robinho from Graham Hunter shows pretty poor journalism as the Robinho party incident happened this season when Schuster, not Capello, was in charge. It was before they lost to Espanyol in October. The most important thing to remember is that Skysports talk a lot of rubbish, it was them that started the ridiculous story last year that Barça were going to swap Eto'o for Henry AND pay seventeen million pounds to Arsenal. I'd ignore it.
I guess it should be a close one.
Valencia 0-1 Barcelona
What the hell is going on with Ronaldinho? He should take a page out Toure's book.
Nevertheless, Barca will win tomororw.
aight that may have been a bit uncalled for. Hopefully he is okay. We dont want another injury
We have to pass, so Valencia 1-2 Barcelona
Nics right.....sky sports do talk a lot of rubbish and they are very biased towards the English teams as well. Incidentally Goal.com also talk a lot of rubbish, though they do seem to have less inherent bias in their articles.
Nic any advice on where to get some reasonably well balanced football news? IT seems most places love to print rubbish! I live in the UK so i have to watch things like "Revista De La Liga" to get my regular liga fix.......i dont know if you've seen it but some of the stories that come out on that show are just ridiculous! I remember hearing the Eto'o for Henry swap rumour loads of times on that show. Can you imagine?!?!?!
Oh and you gotta love Toure.....a few more players with his attitude is what we need to really lift this team. Toure, Iniesta, Puyol are the only three players who consistently give it there all, whether or not they play well is something else, but at least they always try.... Cant fault that!
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Nic,
Has any 0f this come out in the press in spain…
LINK
Are the press in spain saying the same things?
I think Barca 3- 2 Valencia.