Fc Barcelona - Malaga Preview

FC Barcelona's great form in recent weeks should have send the shivers down the Malaga camp when the Catalan visit La Rosaleda tonight; but Malaga's sensational upset of Sevilla last week had boosted their confidence and they would be looking to stop the free rolling Barca team. FC Barcelona is seeking a 11 consecutive victories in all competion and seven consecutive in the league. Guardiola has excluded Pedro and Gudjonsen from the squad even after the medical team has given all clear for them. The squad picket for Malaga clash is Valdés, Henry, Márquez, Xavi, Piqué, Iniesta, Puyol, Cáceres, Sylvinho, Bojan, Eto'o, Messi, Hleb, Alves, Touré, Pinto, Sergio Busquets and Víctor Sánchez. Guardiola is expected to pick his best eleven available for tonight's clash. Malaga will play a very defensive style while attacking on counter; tonight's match will a clear test for FC barcelona's title ambitions especially in the Europe. If they are successful in breaking the Malaga defense then this would seriously elevate FC Barcelona to Champions League top contender. Malaga goal is being guarded by the ex-barca player Francesc Arnau, who sounded cautious about the encounter. Malaga has been into an excellent run of form similiar to Barcelona after a shocking start. One of the team has to lose that winning streak; may be both of them.

With Abidal out with injury, Sylvinho is expected to take the Left-Back role. Another option left to Guardiola is to put Puyol on the left and have Marquez and Pique at the centre. But I expect the combination of Sylvinho, Puyol, Marquez and Alves ahead of Valdes. With the unavailabilty of Gudjonsen, the midfield can be expected to be same as the Almeria match formed by Toure flanked by Xavi and Iniesta in both sides. Up front of the pitch Messi and Eto are sure guarantee; but Guardiola may be preferring Hleb ahead of Henry. FC Barcelona should be able to win this tough match. La Rosaleda is not a great place to travel and Barca's previous results stands as a testimony to that. But this FC Barcelona side with their determination to grind results should be able to see oof the Malaga challenge, maybe very narrowly.

Finally Copa Del Rey Awakes

Finally the Copa Del Rey springs to life with teams from first division losing more than expected. Real Madrid joined the latest list of casualities with a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Real Union. FC Barcelona struggled to a 1-0 victory against Benidorm; Villareal were thrashed handsomely by Poli Ejido and Sevilla lose to Ponferradina; what more you can ask to make the first leg interesting. Most of these teams have fielded their second string teams; but their second string side would be too powerful for these minows. Just before the start of this season's Copa Del Rey, there were questions about the format. And when you consider an already over crowded football fixture, it was natural to have a cry for abandoning this from the big club fans. But the early results have thrown out that request and brought back the excitement back to the Copa Del Rey. Now Madrid and Sevilla has to win at home to progress; whereas Villareal have to play out of their skin to do the same.

What makes the Copa Del Rey and the FA cup so interesting is the fact that it gives the smaller clubs a equal footing. Especially in the FA cup format gives more chance for smaller clubs against bigger counter-parts. If Copa Del Rey format was similiar to the FA cup format; Madrid, Villareal and Sevilla would have already knocked-out. For the smaller clubs every match is like a title match, they have nothing to lose but a world to win. Every match is their new shot at glory. But what is applaing towards Copa Del Rey is the apparent lack of interest shown by Spanish Federation. How can you otherwise explain the fact that one of Poli Ejido's biggest victories went unwatched by the majority of soccer fans. The TV coverage for Copa Del Rey is appaling; it is more surprising when taken into consideration the fact that Spanish minnows always have performed better than their English counterparts.

Iniesta Gets into FIFA List

FIFA yesterday announced the list of probables for this year's 'World Player of The Year'. The good thing for all Soccer and Barca fans is that - Iniesta has made it into the list. The other FC Barcelona players who made into the list are Xavi Hernandez, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto. Surprisingly Puyol goes missing from the list. The full is is - Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Sergio Agüero (Argentina), Andrei Arshavin (Russia), Michael Ballack (Germany), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Deco (Portugal), Didier Drogba (Côte d'Ivoire), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Steven Gerrard (England), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Andrés Iniesta (Spain), Kaká (Brazil), Frank Lampard (England), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Franck Ribéry (France), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), John Terry (England), Fernando Torres (Spain), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands), David Villa (Spain) and Xavi (Spain).

I have to admit that it is a great pleasure to see two top class Goal Keepers making into the list. Ex-Barcelona player Deco also have made into the list only on the basis of a good Euro 2008 display. Andrei Arshavin who has been linked to FC Barcelona during the summer and Cesc Fabregas who has been rumoured to re-join Barca at the earliest also make into the list. The presence of Kaka who missed the majority of last season and Deco who had a pathetic season with FC Barcelona would raise some eyebrows. Otherwise the list looks more perfect than Ballon D'or list. The main contenders for the title this season would be Christiano Ronaldo and Iker Casillas. FIFA always give preference to the player's achievement with the country especially in a tournament year is no secret. This could tilt the poll in favour of Casillas. Xavi who had an excellent Euro 2008 is also a main contender; but a lack of success with FC Barcelona could harm his chances when compared to Iker or Christiano.