We face Sociedad on saturday. We should win this match, it is absolut must. Edmilson will be able to play after his second yellow against Osasuna has been cleared. Motta and Messia re out, but all others should be ready to play. I hope for an easy win.
18 players Rijkaard choose for coming match: Valdés, Jorquera, Belletti, Oleguer, Puyol, Márquez, Sylvinho, Gio, Edmilson, Van Bommel, Gabri, Iniesta, Deco, Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Ezquerro, Giuly y Larsson.
Start Van Bommel or Larsson. Enough of the twin towers nonsense, they don't push forward enough and leave Deco closed down at the halfline all game long.
Van Bommel wasnt in fine form lately. Perhaps Iniesta should get a chance. I am somehow surprised how few chances he has got if you know that Xavi hasn played for six months now. Larsson or Giuly is even bigger question. Every time Larrson plays Etoo is moved towards the wing. He isnt as much effective as he could be there. But Larsson is fine form and on last seveal games he scpred in everyone of them. On the other hand if Giuly plays Etoo is back as center forward but Ludo is in poor form lately. We will see. Dont remember we have another game on tuesday at home against Getafe. Perhaps it would be wise to give Giuly a chance in Sociedad and Larsson in Nou Camp.
Van Bommel might start since we are playing away plus we also play in midweek so we will need some fresh legs versus Getafe. i`m not worried about Real Sociedad, they have been struggling this season and we should get a win if we play the way we are used to. Men to watch for them, Nihat, Xavi Prieto who hasn`t been in fine form lately, Uranga and may be Mikel Alonso. I hope we come away with a good win and with no injuries. Guily has a great work ethic but has`nt been on top of his game so i doubt he will start. We may see a few changes in midfield and at full back. Tomorrow RM V Betis and Che v unpredicable Santander, we will see.
game started 1 V. Valdés 23 J. Oleguer 4 R. Márquez 5 C. Puyol 16 S. Sylvinho 15 J. Edmilson 17 M. van Bommel 7 H. Larsson 20 A. De Souza "Deco" 10 R. Ronaldinho 9 S. Eto'o
Mark Gonzalez nearly scores goal of the season. Off the post, hits of Valdes back and safely into his arms.
Barca have been the better team overall but Sociedad have just been so unlucky. This game is a classic example of how quality finnishers or finnishing is so often the deciders of games.
Full time. Glad to get this over with. I really, REALLY hope the injuries aren't serious. The last thing we need is the injury bug rearing its head again.
I think Messi would be missed In bigger and tougher games,but not in this one.Options provided by Ronaldinho are more than enough.