Next match, liga, day 4:

Barcelona - Valencia

Sunday 24th September 2006 at 21:00 horas. Camp Nou.

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Valencia and Barcelona make for the match of the week...

The most mouth-watering clash of round 4 takes place on Sunday night at the Nou Camp, where Barcelona play host to Valencia for a top of the table clash. The two-time defending champions have enjoyed a superb start to the season, though Valencia have been impressive as well. Along with Sevilla, these are the only sides to have won all three of their matches so far.

We Have Huge Problems With The Line-Up.

It's interesting, who will be the second central holding midfielder in the abscence of Albelda, Baraja and Marchena same time.

I was wandering if Raul Albiol could play on that position against Barca, but today I've found his surname in the list of injured players



The onlu choice left is Hugo Viana? I don't trust this guy for such important match, as Barca-Valencia is.

The same I can say about David Navarro, but I trust in him much more, than Viana.

I've also read some backstages, that David Villa is gonna start the match as a substitute and will enter the match only in the second half. is this true? and if this is true, is this normal?

In my opinion, this is how the line-up must look like, if none of the injured players can recover for the match:
--------------------------------------------Canizares--------------------------------------
------------Miguel----------------Ayala----------------Navarro-----------Moretti--------
----------------------------Viana-------------------------------Edu------------------------
------------Angulo--------------------------Silva----------------------Vicente------------
---------------------------------------------Villa--------------------------------------------

My apologises to Nando and Joaquin

I think it's the best game which can be watched now. In my view, these two teams are being best in Spain with Sevilla. It's more interesting for me this Barcelona - Valencia than Barcelona - Madrid, because Madrid is a poor team playing bad and they're so far Valencia and Barça's quality. We can win, I'm sure.

Valensieli, Albiol is going to play, today he has a little problem, but not important. He'll be the central defender with Ayala. I think it's going to play the same players who you have told, but maybe Quique will decide to play with Joaquin instead of Angulo. Joaquin can not play against Roma and it's good to Joaquin plays next sunday and Angulo next wednesday.

And Albelda will be the king again of the midfiled.

Thanks god Albiol can play. As you know I don't know Spanish and I was quite shocked when I saw him in the injured players list today.

and Albelda will be back? OMG you don't know how happy I am to hear this.

We, the Georgian fans of Valencia have got a tradition to go to pub on the match against Barcelona with the Goergian Barca Fans. Last year we were so pleased, I hope this year it'll be the same

Thank you guys once more.

Good, try to fuddle those Barca fans then we see our victory.

Porteros: Cañizares y Butelle

Defensas: Miguel, Albiol, David Navarro, Ayala y Moretti.

Centrocampistas: Albelda, Joaquín, Edu, Angulo, Hugo Viana, Vicente, Gavilán y Regueiro.

Delanteros: Silva, Villa y Morientes.

For the first time Portugese International Hugo Viana has been called up to the squad. He may get a quick run out as a sub. Angulo looks set to start, not Joaqiun.

------------Cañizares------------
-Miguel-Albiol---Ayala--Moretti
--------Albelda--Edu-------------
-Angulo-----Silva----Vicente---
--------------Villa---------------

I actually think we can maybe beat Barca in this match. 1-0 or 2-1 something narrow. Quiqie seems to know how to go about big matches and I can't see this one being any different. I can't say I wouldn't be disapointed if VCF lost because I would be. I want atleast a draw from this match because I think with our squad we are capable enough to do so. I'm looking very forward and hope we don't get ruined...

I believe in a narrow win. Better that Villa can score on them again But I'm afraid if Barca's guys be too aggressive that Quique have not enough defenders to use for 2 big matches in one week.

Barcelona – Valencia

Barcelona (2nd, 9 pts.) v Valencia (3rd, 9 pts.)
When: 2100 CET, Sunday, 24 Sep, 2006
Where: Camp Nou, Barcelona

Perfect Starts, Perfect Setting

Both teams have started their league campaigns on fire, with three wins out of three despite having to negotiate potential banana-skins very early in the season.

The likes of Atletico Madrid, Celta Vigo and Osasuna have all been dispatched to the second rung as Los Che and the Blaugrana have looked to take early charge.

Unfortunately, this marauding run must end on Sunday at the Nou Camp, for at least one of the two, and the battle to avoid that will make for a fabulous couple of hours.

At Home Barcelona The Favourites?

Valencia will be the first to admit that on paper, Barcelona are stronger. With home support to go with that, a quick look suggests that the balance is weighing towards them.

Yet, nothing could be more myopic, particularly as Valencia have not given much away at Camp Nou in recent years. For some reason or the other, in his three seasons in charge, coach Frank Rijkaard is yet to outwit Sunday’s visitors at this venue.

Various theories have been doing the rounds in the Barcelona media since Monday, as to why that may be the case. The first of those suggests that the size of the Camp Nou pitch suits Valencia’s style, and that they find it easier to get past defenders there than at the Mestalla. Another suggests that Barcelona have often not taken the match as seriously as Valencia have, maybe due to Rijkaard’s ‘just another three points’ approach. A third argues how every time the match has come at a time when the Catalans have been besieged by injuries and suspensions.

Believing them is one’s own prerogative, but what one can say for sure this time, is that Barcelona are dead serious, and have absolutely no injury concerns.

Canizares And Morientes At The Nou Camp

Barca fans have always loved to hate the former Real Madrid stopper, and the constant jeers being directed at him make for a part of the atmosphere in the stadium. His howler 80th minute howler which gave Barcelona a point last season, sent the fans absolutely wild.

This time, however, he will have company in Fernando Morientes, though the former Real Madrid, Monaco, Liverpool striker is not nearly as disliked by the Blaugrana. Indeed, he was set to move to Barcelona when Ronaldo made the switch from Inter to Real four years ago, and it was Barca who closed the door at the last minute.

Since then, Morientes has scored some important goals ‘against’ Real Madrid – always a great reason for Barca fans to like someone.

Lots Of Goals, Lots Of Drama

One of the features of this half-yearly clash is that it is seldom a dull affair, let alone a goalless draw. Four, five, or even six goals are not uncommon at all, and both sides will agree that last season’s 2-2 draw could well have ended 4-4.

Valencia were left claiming that it was a miracle that they did not win it, while Barcelona were wondering what the score-line would have been had Victor Valdes not gift-wrapped one for David Villa.

Then of course, there is that breath-taking, pulsating match from five years ago – the last match of the season, with Valencia fourth in the League, Barcelona fifth, and the winner set to play the Champions League. It was a cracker for the full ninety minutes, a match neither deserved to lose, and neither would have, but for a late over-head kick from Rivaldo to complete his hat-trick, and seal the match 3-2 for Barca, in what would later turn out to be his last game for the club.

Going further back, there was Valencia’s 5-3 aggregate win in the 1999-2000 Champions’ League semi-final, after two sensational matches. Valencia ran riot in the first leg, winning 4-1 at the Mestalla, with Barcelona throwing everything into a come-back, but only managing a 2-1 win at the Nou Camp.

What’s been great in the recent past, is that despite all the intensity, and all the pressure, a clash between the two sides has seldom turned into a very ugly affair. And that’s something we can certainly do with more of!

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Santi Ezquerro suffered some problems during training and is out, which means Rijkaard still has a full squad to choose from. He is set to churn out his strongest team, with the only doubt, once again, being over the spot alongside Ronaldinho and Eto'o, with Messi and Giuly neck to neck.

Despite it being a home clash, the more solid Zambrotta will start ahead of Belletti, and be charged with keeping Vicente in check, while Gio will start ahead of Sylvinho on the left. The rest of the team pretty much picks itself.

Probable Starting XI: Valdes – Zambrotta, Puyol, Marquez, Gio – Deco, Edmilson, Xavi – Giuly/Messi, Ronaldinho, Eto’o

Valencia

Carlos Marchena, Ruben Baraja, Asier del Horno, and Francesco Tavano are still out, while Raul Albiol is doubtful after suffering a thigh problem during training on Friday. That could have made for a few serious worries, but for their gigantic squad.

The biggest news, however, has been David Villa’s late recovery. After looking almost certain to miss out on Wednesday, the forward has improved tremendously, and could start, let alone make the bench. David Silva has been tried through the week as the substitute. Either of them will partner Morientes up front, with Vicente on the left, and the more hard-working Angulo on the right, with Joaquin on the bench.

Probable Starting XI: Canizares – Miguel, Ayala, Navarro, Moretti – Edu, Albelda – Vicente, Angulo – Villa/Silva, Morientes.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Barcelona: Deco, Zambrotta

The magic might come from those further up the pitch, but Zambrotta’s battle with Vicente, and Deco’s tussle with Albelda will have a huge say on who has more say. If Deco sees a lot of the ball, Barcelona’s front three will have Valencia with their backs to the wall.

Valencia: Ayala, Villa

The Argentine centre-half must literally play lion-tamer against Eto’o. But then again, if anyone can impose his rules on a forward, he can. At the other end, if David Villa is fit to play, everything about Valencia automatically becomes more lethal.

PREDICTION

Given the momentum the two sides have built, and with past history in mind, one can safely predict an absolute classic in the making. It's almost impossible for me to call, so I leave it to you.

1:1 I can accept this result but both wings brought nothing for the team.
it's bad in the second half.
Is Albiol injured?

I'm pleased with the result, the game in second half was very bad, we had luck that we didn't lose.

Valencia Make Their Point In Barcelona

A first half strike from David Villa gave inspired Valencia the lead against lack-lustre Barcelona, but the Catalans made a come-back after the break to grab a point, with substitute Andres Iniesta getting the equalizer.

Quique Sanchez Flores caused a surprise of sorts before the game as he left Morientes out of the staring eleven, choosing, instead, to go with just David Villa up front, and Vicente, David Silva and Joaquin for support.

Some clumsy passing followed the much anticipated kick-off, with both teams giving the ball away repeatedly.

However, the visitors took control soon after, and it was none other than Villa who fired them into the lead in the 17th minute. A beautiful ball from the right by Miguel caught Barca napping and landed on the feet of Villa, who slotted past Valded from close range.

Barcelona refused to wake up fron their slumber, moving the ball around pointlessly in midfield before giving it away to Valencia, who looked dangerous on the break every single time.

In the 24th minute, Xavi blazed over the bar from distance, and that was the closest the Catalans had come yet. Ronaldinho tried to curl one into the corner soon after, but Canizares was alert to tip it over.

But those were isolated incidents. Things were not going to plan for Rijkaard's boys. That they knew it, became even more obvious when Marquez picked up a completely unnecessary booking simply out of frustration.

However, Valencia meant business. Marquez had been softened with the yellow, and Villa cleverly skipped past him in the 42nd minute, before thundering one smack into the woodwork.

A second goal on the stroke of half time would almost surely have killed the game, so Barcelona had been given a huge reprieve. They scurried into the dressing room, where boss Rijkaard would have been waiting with some choicy words.

Imagination was what Barcelona had lacked, and Andres Iniesta was promptly sent on for Edmilson as the teams came out after the break. And would you believe it! Within four minutes, he had Barca on level terms.

Some good work from Ronaldinho found Eto'o in a dangerous area, but a smart knock-down from the Cameroon forward for Iniesta – who was yet to be picked up by Valencia's radar – did the business. The Manchego calmly slotted home in the 49th minute, to breathe life into the Nou Camp.

Suddenly, Barcelona also meant business, and the game began to deliver on it's huge promise. The hosts were beginning to believe, as Messi curled one just over, before Deco forced Canizares into a sensational save in the 59th minute.

Ronaldinho was also getting in on the act in this half, and supplied Messi with a superb ball in the 68th minute, but the Argentine was unable to beat Canizares. A very strong Valencia defense was proving too good for Barcelona, while at the other end, Los Ches were fading.

One felt both sides needed some freshness. However, both coaches seemed happy with what they seemed to be seeing. It came eventually, but had to be forced out of Quique Flores. Ronaldinho caught Raul Albiol in the 72nd ninute and the defender crumpled in a heap. Two indecisive minutes later, he was carried off, with David Navarro coming on.

It took a while for Los Ches to settle down again, and Xavi used the opportunity to test Canizares with a header. Finally, Flores had seen enough. David Villa was perhaps beginning to feel the effects of one week without much training, and was fast fading into oblivion. He made way for Angulo in the 76th minute, as Valencia began to get ready to close shop, with no strikers left on the pitch.

Rijkaard sensed the moment and sent Saviola out to warm up, amidst huge applause from the Camp Nou faithful. With five minutes left on the clock, he replaced compatriot Lionel Messi, as Barcelona looked for the winner.

He was immediately in the thick of the action, as a great ball from Eto'o found him with a chance to beat Canizares, but he failed to get enough power into the strike. Hugo Viana came on for Albelda as the three minutes of stoppage time were announced.

Barcelona won a very dangerous free-kick in injury time, and Joaquin was booked for having too much to say, while the hosts cleverly tried to take it quickly. The referee was having none of it, and called them back. Canizares made sure there were no holes in the wall, and Barcelona failed to get past it.

That just about wrapped things up at the Nou Camp, with Valencia happy to have made their point, and Barcelona failing to beat Valencia in front of home supporters for the fifth season in a row.

The point they picked up moves both sides up to the top of the table with ten points from four games, alongside Real Madrid. Sevilla, the only other side that could have leap-frogged them, lost to Atletico Madrid earlier in the evening.

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés - Zambrotta, Márquez, Puyol, Gio - Xavi, Edmilson (Iniesta), Deco – Messi (Saviola), Etóo and Ronaldinho.

Valencia (4-2-3-1): Cañizares; Miguel, Albiol (Navarro), Ayala, Moretti – Albelda (Viana), Edú – Joaquin, Silva, Vicente – Villa (Angulo).

I think I can satisfied with the result. Valencia has played so well in first half and it's difficult to believe how it's possible Rijkaard can do his team begins to attack Valencia sending off Edmilson and sending on Iniesta. If Villa had scored the second goal for Valencia, the game would have been so different. The truth is that Barcelona is a exceptional team which can socre when they want. It's hard to stop them. Afortunately Valencia did a fantastic match and all defenders were really well.

It seems Albiol is OK, I hope he can play against Roma.

It was an okay game to watch, a tale of two halves. Miguel, Villa, and Albelda had really, really good matches. Canizares was sensational. This was the first Valencia match i was able to catch on television so maybe the question isn't too valid, but is Joaquin have difficulty settling in to the Valencia side? He didn't really do much. Will he be able to regain the form of two years ago when he was so good at Betis?

If Villa would have scored that second goal, the game would have been different. It would have been quite the spectacular goal too. A 1-1 draw against Barca away is an okay result. Still, if they would have sustained their play of the first half into the second half, they would have won.

Should be an exciting match against Roma!

it is a good result for us! i am very satisfied!

The 1st valencia match for me too.Have to say that I was so excited at half time.th team played brillianty.The likes of Ronaldinho,Messi were kept quiet.

AT the same time,instead of maintaing that,we let them in ealry in the 2nd half & even agfter that we just continued defending.

Have to say,disappointed with Silva,expoected so nmuch from him.Alos,Jaoquin could'nt make a single cross!!!

Overall good result.