FC Barcelona will take a trip to northern Spain tomorrow and to Asturias in particular to play their catch-up game, a difficult away trip to El Molinon where they will face Sporting Gijon. Los Rojiblancos are currently languishing just above the relegation zone in what is their first season back in the Primera Division since 2011-12, but their form has been strong as of late and they will be looking to continue that run by securing an improbable result against the irresistible Blaugrana.
With a jaw-dropping 6-1 win over traditional bogey team Celta de Vigo at the weekend, Luis Enrique’s side extended their unbeaten streak to a club record 30 matches, and if their second-half performance is anything to go by, the streak shows no sign of ending any time soon. Barcelona entered the break level courtesy of John Guidetti’s equalising penalty, but they moved through the gears and turned on the style to register a manita in the final period of play.
The everlasting memory from that match will be Lionel Messi’s "trick" penalty, although in truth the second-half was laden with glorious moments – from Neymar’s sombrero flick to Ivan Rakitic’s deft chip and Messi’s trademark dribbling, there was no end to the entertainment on this floodlit night in Catalunya. Evidently, the foremost challenge for the Blaugrana tomorrow will be following that performance, both literally, and mentally speaking.
Surely, a performance of that calibre must have taken a lot of effort from our star-studded squad, irrespective of how nonchalant they may have seemed during the match. Indeed, there will be the pressure from the fans, and perhaps from within the squad to live up to those standards once again, which in turn could create additional unwanted pressure. Not that we can’t thrive under pressure, more like it’s an unwanted distraction.
Already we have a few factors to contend with – the first and most obvious being the trip itself to Gijon to play at El Molinon. Typically, this is one of the tougher venues in Spanish football. The club very much represents the region, so the playing style is a little rugged and the pitch isn’t the bowling green turf we are used to at the Camp Nou. It can be intimidating, and the early, unfamiliar midweek kick-off time is unlikely to lend us any favours.
Of course, given the quality within the squad this is still a winnable match – and we will obviously enter the match as heavy favourites, but with the margin such as it is at the top of the table, this match in the middle of a tough schedule could be our one banana skin. In the event the unlikely should occur, I’m saying we could be fine with that.
TEAM NEWS
BARCELONA
Well that’s enough negativity and pessimism for this preview, let’s get down to the entirely emotionless team news part. Luis Enrique named his squad for the trip earlier today in line with general policy, and just as that statement was pretty bland, Enrique’s selection was also relatively bland as well. There will be no prizes for those who guessed that Jordi Masip, Douglas and Sandro would be left out of the team, although special credit should be given to anyone who predicted that Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto would be rested.
Not because it’s earth-shatteringly surprising, but just because it comes slightly out of left field – and we need to sensationalise something after all.
As such, the starting XI should almost pick itself. Claudio Bravo will start in goal, while the fabled trident of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez should continue to lead the line in attack. The question marks will arise regarding the rest of the team; Dani Alves should start at right-back for instance after being subbed against Celta, but he also performed poorly and Enrique may wish to hand a start to Aleix Vidal as a result.
Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano performed well against John Guidetti, but the all-action Swede might have taken a little bit out of them with his physical style, so one, or both of them could in theory be rotated out of the starting line-up. I suspect that Jeremy Mathieu will rotate in for Javier Mascherano, leaving Adriano Correia to grab the left-back berth vacated by Alba.
In midfield, Sergio Busquets is likely to start at pivote, potentially with Javier Mascherano earmarked as a substitute depending on how the game progresses, while my money would be on Arda Turan getting a start alongside Andres Iniesta based on the substitutions in the match against Celta.
SPORTING GIJON
An interesting narrative and subplot in the build-up to this game has been the relationship between the two head coaches; Luis Enrique and Abelardo Fernandez were born less than a month apart in Gijon, and have been linked ever since. They grew up together, went to school together and eventually went professional together at Gijon. Even later in their careers the two were almost inseparable, both featuring for FC Barcelona in the late 90’s and early 00’s. The prospect of facing off against one another has not been lost on either coach, with Abelardo particularly effusive in his praise for his friend.
It is set to be an emotional match for the pair of them and their families, but when the whistle indicates the start of the match you can be sure that the friendship will be temporarily forgotten.
Sporting have been boosted with the news that star player, and Barcelona loanee, Alen Halilovic has been cleared to play by his parent club – and the official website has run an article in which they state he is "stoked" to face his employer. I suppose that’s one word for it – but unfortunately Sporting will be without a former Barca B starlet in top scorer Antonio Sanabria, who is ruled out with a right thigh injury.
FORM GUIDE
Barcelona: WWWWDW
Sporting: LLWWDD
LAST MEETING
FC Barcelona 3-1 Sporting Gijon – 3rd March 2012 – La Liga
The last meeting between the two sides gives us a throwback to the Pep era, and unsurprisingly we picked up the three points at the Camp Nou, courtesy of three goals from midfield as Andres Iniesta, Seydou Keita and Xavi Hernandez all found the net for the hosts.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Barcelona (4-3-3): Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Adriano; Busquets, Arda, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Sporting (4-2-3-1): Pichu; Vranjes, Lichovsky, Hernandez, Lopez; Alvarez, Mascarelli; Carmona, Halilovic, Jony; Guerrero
MATCH PREDICTION
It’ll be a slow start from the Blaugrana, but we’ll ease into the match and eventually the quality will shine through. 2-0 Barcelona.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts http://ift.tt/1QHgGnd
0 التعليقات:
إرسال تعليق