I'm sure you've heard the news about Romy by now. They say he will be fit for Atletico this weekend. As for Wednesday's business, the full list of players Van Gaal is taking to Poland is: Cocu, Valdés, Geovanni, Gabri, Saviola, Xavi, Gerard, Luis Enrique, Puyol, Kluivert, Rochemback, Dani, Enke, Mendieta, Motta, De Boer, Christanval and Navarro. I don't see many changes from the first leg-- Maybe LvG subs early so guys aren't tired this weekend, or tries a couple different faces to keep guys fresh (Gerard instead of Xavi or Enke instead of Valdes?) but other than that I don't see the strategy changing from the first leg. Barça, Barça, Barrrrrrça!
My only concern is the typical overconfidence of a team going to an away match up by 3. And Van Gaal, who still hasn't inspired confidence in me yet, hasn't done enough to warrent not being concerned about Legia. Hopefully, they realize they cant just sit back. Paul
I just saw this news from yesterday... FC Barcelona.com Motta likely to miss Legia game Tuesday 27 August 2002 17:35 (BCN) Thiago Motta missed training in Warsaw this morning with tonsillitis and a fever, and seems likely to miss Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier. Speaking in Poland earlier today Louis van Gaal admitted the young midfielder’s absence was a blow, though with Gabri, Gerard, Rochemback, Mendieta and Navarro all available to slot in on the left side, the Barca boss at least has plenty of cover.
More from FCB.com Van Gaal's team look to make Monaco draw Wednesday 28 August 2002 11:15 (BCN) Barca go into tonight’s game against Legia Warsaw, knowing that their three goal advantage from the first leg should be sufficient to see them through to tomorrow’s Champions League draw in Monaco. All week, the players have been insisting on the need to maintain their discipline, control the pace of the game and make sure that the Poles don’t get an early goal. Barca will not just be looking to proceed to the Champions League proper, but also to give a good account of themselves ahead of Sunday’s Spanish League opener against Athletico Madrid. Summer signing Juan Román Riquelme is the team’ s most notable absentee, after he picked up a thigh strain on Monday, whilst Patrick Andersson and Marc Overmars are still recovering from injury, Van Gaal decided to leave Michael Reiziger and Roberto Bonano out of the squad. With Thiago Motta out ill, the manager will have to choose between Gabri, Rochemback or Gerard to replace him, or push Navarro forward and give Christanval the defensive berth.
STarting line-up Barcelona 26 Valdés 3 de Boer 5 Puyol 6 Hernández 7 Saviola 8 Cocu 9 Kluivert 12 Christanval 17 Mendieta 21 Luis Enrique 35 Navarro
We go through 4-0 on aggregate thanks to a Mendieta PK in '69 All I had was the Uefa.com matchtracker, so I have no idea how this game played out. All that matters is no injuries and we go through.
Yes, and on matchtracker, nothing happened during the first half?!?! I guess all that matters is they are through and we can look forward to Friday's draw. Tony