Gearing Up for Schalke Challenge

Frank Rijkaard has announced the same squad which failed to find a goal against Getafe last week for today's Champions League match against Schalke. Bojan's goal has given Barcelona a definitive edge but complacency may be the team's biggest enemy. Barcelona has a history of doing well against German opponents especially at Camp Nou; therefore the absence of Messi and Ronaldinho should not affect them that much. Barcelona still has a very good squad to see off the Schalke challenge. Rijkaard as expected will go with an unchanged starting eleven. An under performing Henry can be expected again to be given the nod to start the attack along with Eto and Bojan. Xavi, Iniesta and Toure should be expected to make up the midfield, with Milito and Puyol forming the centre of defense. Sylvinho might be replaced by Abidal and that might be the only change in the side.

Personally I would like to see Rijkaard resting Henry for the time being. It will be a bigger disaster if he decides to start with the two kids along with Eto. First of all they lack the experience to organize attack against such a well organised side. Secondly Giovanni has proven very dangerous when he has been brought in the second half. Rijkaard best option is to start Iniesta on the left upfront with Bojan on the right and Eto in centre of attack. This will help us to fit Gudjonsen in the midfield; Gudjonsen is an English style player and is well equipped than other attacking options to deal with the aerial ball. Be in no doubt that Schalke will be looking to exploit Barcelona's vulnerability against aerial ball. Out of all the options available Gudjonsen is the best to score from corners. If we see the last some matches every team is content in giving Barcelona huge number of corners and we are unable to put one in position. Presence of Gudjonsen will solve that to an extent.

Remembering Those Moments - Rivaldo's wonder goal against Valencia

Schalke-0,Barcelona-1

Barcelona gained the upper hand in the two legged Quarter final against Schalke courtesy of a solitary Goal from Bojan Krkic. Considering their performance against Betis, Barcelona played well and showed enough consistency and courage to grind out this result. Now they can firmly look forward to finish the job at Camp Nou and get ready to face Manchester United in the semis. Rijkaard brought back Milito in place of Thuram and the rest of the line up was the same as the Betis match.

Barcelona started the match in pretty much their usual manner. They had the majrity of possession and got their first shot on target in the 8th minute when Iniesta shot was blocked by Neuer. Then in the 12th minute Barcelona went one up when Henry placed the ball across the face of the goal for Krkic to have the easiest of tapping. The goal was a courtesy of Schalke keepre who failed to held on to Henry's first shot and the rebound found Henry again. That goal made Bojan the second youngest to score a goal in Champions league Matches. Barcelona could not make any meaningful attack in the rest of first half and apart from some unfutile attempts Schalke really failed to test Valdes. In the begining of second half it looked like there will be a repetition of the Betis match. Barcelona was allowing too much of possession to Schalke and was finding it difficult to hold the ball against a more physical opponents. Throughout the second half Schalke was interested in testing the Barcelona defense with arial ball and was successful in most of the cases. Barcelona defefense didn't fare well against the arial ball but did well to thwart any danger. Moreover poor finishing skills of Schalke players helped Barcelona a lot.

Schalke has already shown that they are no push over. But to win at Camp Nou will be little tough for them.

Match Highlights