FC Barcelona will miss their inspirational captain Carles Puyol, for ten days. Puyol was substituted midway through the match and his absence resulted in Barca conceding two unnecessary goals. Test done on Puyol showed that he has suffered a "small muscle tear to the back of left thigh". The injury to Puyol will mean that Pique is going to get more playing time; but how much we are going to miss him on the pitch is yet to be seen. Marquez and Pique could form a very good partnership in the absence of Puyol. Puyol now is certain to miss the Racing Santander match, the first leg of Copa Del Rey semifinal against Mallorca and may even miss the Sporting Gijon match. Most probably Guardiola would have rested him against Mallorca and Gijon so this could not be bad.
Ok now some news from the transfer market. All the stupid speculation of Messi moving out of Barcelona has been sidelined after Messi made it clear that "Unless he is kicked out from here, he ain't going anywhere". Gudjohnsen and Toure also have put rest to rumours relating to them. So with Guardiola not interested in going for a winter signing all the focus now shifts to whom we are going to sign in the summer. Frank Ribery and Lahm does feature at the top of the list. Ribery could be a healthy addition as he is a natural winger. Lahm is seen as a cover for aging Sylvinho but is yet to be seen whether Guardiola will go for him with Abidal playing to his potential now.
