PBP: Copa del Rey 4R-2L | FC Barcelona v Deportivo Alavés | 28 Nov 2012 [R]

Wednesday, the 28th of November 2012

| BARCELONA (CEST), 21:30 | LOS ANGELES (PDT), 12:30 | MONTREAL( EDT), 15:30 | LONDON (BST), 20:30 |MELBOURNE (EST), 5:30 (NEXT DAY)

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CAMP NOU

Barcelona

Capacity: 99,354

Stadium Info | Google Street

Head to Head Results

Tue 30/10/12 CDR Deportivo Alaves 0 - 3 Barcelona

Tue 16/01/07 CDR Barcelona 3 - 2 Deportivo Alaves

Wed 10/01/07 CDR Deportivo Alaves 0 - 2 Barcelona

Sun 22/01/06 PRD Barcelona 2 - 0 Deportivo Alaves

Current Form

Wed 07/11/12 ECL Celtic 2 - 1 Barcelona

Sun 11/11/12 PRD Mallorca 2 - 4 Barcelona

Sat 17/11/12 PRD Barcelona 3 - 1 Zaragoza

Tue 20/11/12 ECL Spartak Moscow 0 - 3 Barcelona

Sun 25/11/12 PRD Levante 0 - 4 Barcelona

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Visca el Barça

Need to field lots of players who normally don't get to play much, and Messi.

Valdes, Messi, Pique, Busquets, Alba, Xavi, and Iniesta weren't called up.

Squad is:

Pinto, Oier

Montoya, Puyol, Mascherano, Adriano, Planas

Song, JdS, Roberto, Thiago, Cesc

Pedro, Villa, Tello, Deulofeu

Normally, I don't like it at all when individual accolades are hunted in a fashion that endangers the team's success. This case, with Messi being so close to a major record and no season-deciding matches around the corner, I don't like it that Messi is excluded.

That said, I kinda like the attitude by Tito (and apparently by Messi, who according to Tito didn't ask to play in the match) that individual stuff means exactly nothing compared with the teams' well-being.

A season-deciding match could be the one where Messi pulls-up with a hamstring injury.

It's also not a major record. Recognized records are usually based on a season. This record is hyped up by the media.

Messi can get injured anywhere. At matches, in training, at his home, etc.

Well, major and major. But fair point.

True, but its way more likely in matches.

I just saw the squad list and came here to state my happiness that Messi, the X-B-I midfield and Alba are not included. Never expected to see Valdes. Less sure about Pique vs. Puyol getting rest but whatever.

Regarding Messi's record hunting - first and foremost he will get it as (1) we have this pretty much in the bag with 3 away goals to nil, and (2) when we seal the deal tomorrow we get 2 more CdRey games in December. Add to that 4 Liga matches and 1 CL match. Hopefully Leo only needs to play the 4 Liga matches to get 4 goals. If there is doubt and he wants to play some of those other 3 matches - perhaps the CL one as he may want to be top scorer there for a record-setting time, and/or the first leg of the CdR one to set that up for an easy return match, then that will be up to him and Tito. Fortunately we are getting healthier (Thiago, Adriano and Cuenca back) at a great time and getting some extra rest around the holidays will be good for the whole team, especially those who may want to go to South America a/o those with new babies.

Pinto
Montoya-Song-Puyol-Adriano (gives Song another chance to acclimate at CB, not sure he can make a go of it there but too soon to give up and playing next to Puyol with Puyol in his ear will be a huge boost; plus this gives JDS a rare start at DM. When game is in bag let Planas play)
Cesc-JDS-Thiago/Sergi Roberto (I don't think Thiago is ready to go 90 minutes but hopefully can play 30-60 then give way to Sergi R.)
Pedro-Villa-Tello (sub on Deulofeu).

Yeah, you are right, odds are strong that Masch starts after he sat the last game.

Still, has Song played a match next to Puyol at CB? If so it was probably a few months ago when we first got him and Puyol was healthy. I know they both started matches with Song at DM. And maybe working Song into the DM/Keita role is really the most we should try to do this season barring more terrible luck with CB injuries. I think it does take long enough to adapt there w/o playing him as CB. Still we paid big bucks for him hoping he could support both spots. I'm torn. I don't think paring Song and Masch makes much sense - it's been tried a few times. So maybe a safe back line of Masch and Puyol, or maybe even Masch and Planas.

I do think Song also needs a start, as does JDS, so I guess we could rest Cesc too and see this as our CBs: Masch + Puyol or Planas; and this as our midfield Thiago-Song-JDS.

Planas can also play left back so he might sub Adriano there since Adriano may not be ready to play 90 minutes on the heels of rejoining the first team. But if Planas has a future with Barca it doesn't seem to be at LB as Alba is here now and Grimaldo seems like a real crack.

What I hope to see

Pinto

Montoya Song Mascherano Adriano

Thiago JdS Roberto

Deulofeu Villa Tello

Put Pedro on at some point where he could have enough time to maybe get a goal to boost his confidence, Puyol perhaps to get some more match time, and either Cesc or Planas, depends on what Tito would feel is better.

Yikes, I saw a match prediction which had JDS playing RB again, given that we have Alves, Montoya, and Adriano I thought that experiment was over. But with Alves out, Adriano coming back from injury and having to cover the LB while Alba gets so well deserved rest, I guess we could see some of that in this game, and if JDS is going to add value as a squad player he is best off being able to cover as many extra positions as possible. Wherever he lines up I hope he plays the whole match and has a good game.

Puyol in the squad, it has to be for his leadership qualities especially if we have numerous youngsters on. I think that's the reason why its him and not Pique starting today. I would rather save Puyol for the weekend. Also agree with those who think Masch will be playing. Maybe Puyol starts and if we score one more, then we know for sure they can't come back and we sub him out for Song.

Shame Messi wasn't picked for this game, or at least on the subs bench. I think he would have broken Muller's record if he had played. This record is a big thing, I can't ever see anyone getting close to it again, well apart from Messi himself.

just guessing:

----tello---------cesc-------delofeu----
-----------roberto---thiago-------------
adriano-------jonathan------montoya
---------masch---------song-------------
-------------------pinto-------------------

I must confess, I've never even heard about this 'record' until Messi threatened to break it.
Never heard it mentioned when Gerd Müller's accomplishments were listed.
Never realized the '72/'73 DFB-Ligapokal was an 'official' competition (although I was aware it existed).
I understand the love for Messi and all, but I share BocaFan's sentiments...

As I stated above in a different way I am with Bocafan and Unclesox, glad Messi is getting some rest along with half of the other starting 11. While I don't think that this record is a big deal (frankly it seems like a great bit of media hype which supports the Messi for WPOTY) I do think Messi will get it (and want him to). But I am happy that both Tito and Messi are on the same page that the team and not the records are what is important. Messi will still get at least 4 games to get 4 goals and that should be enough, perhaps he plays one of the CdR legs (has he ever played in Cordoba, Spain?) or even in the meaningless CL match though I hope not.

From the CdR bracket it looks like the first CdR match in the Round of 16 will be at Barca with Cordoba hosting the return leg, accordingly we hopefully put it away in the home leg and don't have to play Leo at all but if he needs another goal for the record then why not give the fans in Cordoba a huge treat and play him there.

As long as Messi gets 90 by the end of the year, I will be happy with that AND as long as Barca go through tonight

Apologies to Alaves as I am looking ahead to Cordoba:

According to their President it's been 30 years since Barca played in Cordoba - must've been a Copa match as they were last in the first division in 1972 per Wikipedia. Decent sized stadium at 18,280.

Gonzalez (president Cordoba): "It'd be a dream to play against Barcelona in the cup. Barça haven't been in Cordoba for 30 years." [ondacero]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Córdoba_CF

Barcelona line-up (official): Pinto - Montoya Puyol Mascherano Adriano - DosSantos Song SergiRoberto - Tello Villa Thiago Barcelona bench: Oier, Planas, Cesc, Pedro, Deulofeu

Very strong team the surprise for me is Thiago playing up front (similar to how we often use Cesc or Iniesta).

interesting. looks like thiago will be playing in messi's false-9 role i guess. remember seeing him play there once before and being impressed. and the jonathan-roberto midfield partnership will be interesting to watch. too bad about bartra's injury, he would have played otherwise.

disappointed that Deulofeu isnt starting , heard he got his contract renewed to 2017 is that true ?

i don't know about his contract, but i think he'll probably come one at half time for villa

Nice memories of Alavés in the 2001 UEFA Cup final vs. Liverpool. One of the all-time classic finals.

Barca's eager to renew his contract but it has not happened yet and, at the moment, expires at season end, which give GD leverage. He currently makes more in advertising (mostly Nike) than from Barca.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepag...sfer-targets-for-England-Guillem-Balague.html