PBP: Copa del Rey | 1/16, Leg 2 | FC Barcelona v Villanovense CF | 2 Decemeber 2015 [R]

I need to dig up what I wrote a few days ago, on the first CdR thread for the away match, but first I will note that only three Barca B teamers joined for training which suggests to me that even though Lucho stated he wished he was not limited to playing 7 first teamers at all times, we will in fact see at least 8 first teamers in this game. Particularly since we only have a draw so far so we really need to score 2 to their 0 (or 3 to their 1, etc.) before we can relax due to the away goals rule. The B teamers were Gumbau, Samper, and Aitor and we could see all 3 start, sadly Kaptoum who actually was the best B teamer to play in the first leg at least till Aitor came on late and tried to score, seems like he won't get called up this time. Also of note is that MAtS has a knee issue of some sort, probably not even the back up for this one, though I expect Masip will continue to start as he did in the first leg.

Here's what I posted in the first leg thread a couple days ago. I had stated we'd need to play more starters due to the draw and Inswinger pointed out that given our injuries, lack of depth till January, etc. we better not play any more starters. We had to qualify with backups and b teamers or not qualify at all. This was my belated response to that, (but I will edit as I now guess no Kaptoum and no MAtS on bench, and no Grimaldo either):

Well I'm late to this thread but early to the forthcoming one. I hear what you are saying about resting folks, I also know that it would be a big blow to lose at home and bow out of the tournament so early so given that we started this squad last time:
adriano(c)---sandro------munir
-------gumbau---kaptoum------
mathieu----samper-----douglas
-----vermaelen--bartra----------
--------------masip---------------

It is hard to not see some changes. At RB if we rest Alves (quite deservedly) we have no Douglas (thankfully it seems) and likely no Roberto (injured slightly but hoping to be back for Villarreal). So Adriano starts again but at RB. Mathieu has been playing a bunch and arguably deserves rest too. Love to see Grimaldo finally get a run with this year's first team (he's played with first team since he was 16 or 17 but had some injury set backs, shades of Muniesa if you will). Verm and Bartra are the perfect CB pair and Masip in goal seems pretty sure at this point.

In mid it is hard to see a 3 B team mid again. Yes, Raki, Ini, and Sergi all need rest and Roberto is likely not available. How about Messi (Rt AM), Samper (DM), and Kaptoum (Lt AM) to start? We know Messi wants the minutes to get back to 100% and we have no depth at mid at all. Sub on Gumbau in 2nd half. Up front, Suarez and Neymar probably want to play but best to rest them, maybe have on the bench 'in case of emergency' but bench is only 5 in CdR IIRC. So Sandro and Munir start again and how about Aitor too?
AITOR---sandro------munir
-------MESSI (C)---kaptoum------
GRIMALDO----samper-----Adriano (new position)
-----vermaelen--bartra----------
--------------masip---------------

Bench MAtS, Mathieu, Gumbau, Rakitic, Suarez

I think Messi scores and also inspires one of the forwards to score with a lovely assist or 3. We actually start one extra B teamer (the max is 4 IIRC, need 7 first teamers on at all times I think).

But I think Lucho plays a stronger squad since this is too close to the squad which looked so tame at their place in the scoreless draw. Yes Messi adds a ton but I'm guess he starts stronger and maybe finishes like I listed above....

Updating now for what I could actually see with no Kaptoum, Grimaldo, MAtS and the likelihood we go for a win:
sandro------munir------MESSI (C)
-------Gumbau------Rakitic
Mathieu----samper-----Adriano (new position)
-----vermaelen--bartra----------
--------------masip---------------

Bench Bravo, Masch, Iniesta, Suarez, Neymar

 

I'd field a considerably strong line-up (and no B-teamers starting). Don't want to risk it, as the opponent knows how to play football and will obviously be more than hungry to take us out. If we lead decisively, can always sub out the starters who need to take it easy the most.

 

Apparently Messi trained individually and will be rested tomorrow: Messi will probably be rested against Villanovense tomorrow. He didn't train with the group today, worked out in the gym. [md]

Here's a prediction which has him starting but you can just slot Suarez in for Messi there (or Neymar, or Aitor):
Possible line-up (vs Villanovense): Masip - Adriano Bartra Vermaelen Alba - Gumbau Samper Iniesta - Munir Messi Sandro #fcblive [rac1]

 

16 man squad list RESTS: Messi Busquets Piqué. Rakitic Alba and Roberto. Leaves Masip Bravo Alves Masch Verm Bartra Mathieu Adriano Iniesta Gumbau Samper Aitor Sandro Munir Suarez and Neymar.

Prediction wise I will go with a bit more experience early, aiming to sub off early after we get a lead:
Masip
Alves-Bartra-Verm-Mathieu
Samper-Masch-Iniesta
Munir-Suarez-Neymar (MSN lite)

Super veteran D and DM plus Ini, Ney, Suarez up front ought to get a nice lead by halftime. Then on come Gumbau, Aitor, and Adriano to rest Ini, Suarez, and Neymar.

 

EDIT - here's the lineup now:
Barcelona line-up (official): Masip - Alves Bartra Vermaelen Mathieu - Samper Mascherano (EL CAPITAN!) Adriano - Munir Sandro Aitor

So Neymar, Suarez, Iniesta, Bravo, and Gumbau are all the bench. We have an unusual but fairly experienced midfield, a super experienced defense, and a very young forward line. Basically we hope Munir, Sandro, Aitor can score a few so Neymar, Suarez, Iniesta don't have to get off the bench and bail them out.

Pique, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic and Messi weren't included in match squad, MAtS and Roberto both have small injuries, Rafinha and Douglas have longer term injuries, Vidal and Arda can't play until January due to Fifa ban

Earlier post:
Barcelona have scored 160 goals in the year 2015, 19 goals away from the all-time year record in Spanish football #fcblive [via mrchip] Whether we start Suarez and/or Neymar or neither (now confirmed), today could be a good day to chip away at that.

 

well if we cant score or somehow concede a goal then neymar,suarez and iniesta should come in the second half.

 

Alveeeeeeeeeeeees what a shoooooooooot 1-0 !!

 

Alves golaaaaaaaaaaaaazo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take a bow.

1-0.

 

What a rocket by Alves from 35 meters or so.

EDIT:

apparently the first one we've scored at Camp Nou this season from outside the box.

 

Adriano and Samper then try to blast it in from outside the box, deflected and over, respectively.

I want a Masch goal today but would be happy with just the Sandro and/or Munir getting a first goal in a long time.

Despite all the youth and backups, just 6 academy players today as we bought all the D, including the 2 D players playing mid today, save for Bartra (Alves, Math, Masch, Adriano, Verm).

Last Alves goal was March 2014 vs. Man City.

 

Sandro makes it 2-0 !!

and i can't believe i'm saying this , but Munir might be more selfish than freaking Ronaldo

 

Alves' goal:

 

Damn, they got a big away goal, 2-1, like the Alves goal but only 25 meters.

Sandro's goal is not just his first of the season but first since December 2014 (Huesca). He stole a poor pass from the keeper and then shot it past him.

EDIT - not to worry Sandro with a brace now, nice pass to him (by Aitor) in the box and shot from the left with the outside of his right foot.

 

Sandro makes it 3-1 !!!! have no idea how Munir get preferred over him to be honest , he is hard working and actually passes the ball , Aitor with a nice assist .

 

that would've been an easy tab in for Adriano , but of course it's impossible to expect Munir to pass it back

 

Camp Nou attendance

94,422 Wed 5 Aug Roma (Gamper) 22:00
88,834 Mon 17 Aug Athletic Bilbao (Supercopa) 22:00
80,812 Sat 29 Aug Málaga 20:30
78,228 Sun 25 Oct Eibar 18:15
76,013 Sun 20 Sept Levante 20:30
75,472 Sat 17 Oct Rayo Vallecano 20:30
74,916 Sat 26 Sept Las Palmas 16:00
74,109 Sun 8 Nov Villarreal 16:00
74,020 Sat 28 Nov Real Sociedad 16:00
71,433 Tue 24 Nov Roma (UCL) 20:45
68,694 Tue 29 Sept Leverkusen (UCL) 20:45
68,502 Wed 4 Nov BATE Borisov (UCL) 20:45
67,703 Wed 2 Dec Villanovense (Copa) 20:00

 

Sandro's 2nd goal (our 3rd) with nice run and great pass by Aitor:

 

Gumbau in , Alves out , Adriano switched from midfield to RB

 

Now Munir scores off a Mathieu cross 4-1. Better call off our dogs and bring in Neymar and Suarez for Sandro and Munir.

 

Goal by munir, I didn't like his attitude though. I'll be honest with you guys, but I don't think he is or will ever be barca quality.