Recreativo vs FC Barcelona Preview

As a contrast to his recent ways Pep Guardiola has decided to announce his squad for the match against Recreativo De Huelva in Nuevo Colombino stadium. After the uninspiring win against Benidorm Pep has announced the strongest side available for the visit to Recreativo. Recreativo lies in the relegation zone as of now and could be hard done by this visit of Barca. But the teams which made us struggle this season are Numancia, Benidorm, FC Basel etc. A combination of team selection and complacency are to be blamed for the recent uninspiring results against FC Basel and Benidorm. I now believe that we need three out of our fantastic four (Xavi, Messi, Iniesta and Eto) to make the greatest of impressions against opponents. The squad announced for tonight's match is Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Sylvinho, Cáceres, Puyol, Márquez, Piqué, Sergio B., Touré Yaya, Keita, Xavi, Gudjohnsen, Hleb, Messi, Eto'o, Bojan and Henry.

Pep Guardiola is not expected to experiment with his side for today's match. This has been already a tricky week for the big clubs in the La Liga. Real Madrid lose to Valladoid and Valencia's catapulation at the hands of Gijon means that we have a clear cut chance to increase the lead on the top of table. Villareal is yet to play but a clear cut lead from Valencia and Madrid would ease out all the tension when we get ready to face them pretty soon. Puyol, Marquez, Pique and Alves is expected to form the defense ahead of Valdes. Xavi, Toure and Gudjonsen should form the midfield troika. Messi, Eto and Henry would be the attacking force ahead of the pitch. Puyol playing the left-back role should be a blessing in disguise for Guardiola in the future. When Milito returns he could form the centre defense partnership of Marquez and Milito in the middle. Last season Marquez and Milito showed good understanding of each other; but Milito when partnered with Puyol was a disaster. Whatever those are things for the future; I expect FC Barcelona to produce another sincillating performance and prerdict a score line of 2-6.

Arshavin and Xavi are the talk of the Moment

Andrei Arshavin rumour does not look like going to die out soon. Actually Sport.es is keeping it on the frontpage with their daily articles of a possible Arshavin move. Guardiola has been very careful in answering questions about the russian; when asked about his interest he answered with a broad minded phrase saying that "Arshavin is a good player". I have already written about teh Arshavin factor in Barcaelona - Have a look here - Arshavin and FC Barcelona. Will a move be materialising? onli time can tell. Actually with Robben and Van Nistelrooy both injured I believe Real Madrid might go hard for the player. But then with Henry and Hleb in the kitty we may not miss Arshavin that much.

From yesterday there is another transfer rumour that is being linked to FC barcelona. Only this time it is a Barca player who is involved in these rumours - Xavi Hernandes. Manchester United Supremo, Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly looking to avail Xavi's service to strengthen his midfield. He is looking him as a possible replacement to the always injured Owen Heagraves. Alex Ferguson is looking to benefit on the apparent non-agreement between the player and FC Barcelona over a new deal. FC Barcelona has tabled a deal of about 7 million Euros plus addons for Xavi contract extension; but it looks like Xavi is not ready to settle for anything less than 9 million Euros. Xavi, the most valued player of Euro Championship is rightly deserving a salary in consistent with the best in the football. With ManU jumping into the fray; there are three clubs who openly looking to sign the player - Liverpool and Inter Milan. But everyone of the FC Barcelona fans knows that Xavi will not be leaving; this all rumours will help him in getting the package he has asked for from the club. In Barcelona it is pretty simple; if there is a President existing who will let go off any one of Messi, Xavi or Iniesta he might have to look for a better job from the next day.

Here Comes Arshavin Again

Andrei Arshavin, the russian play maker has been again linked with a possible move to FC Barcelona when the winter transfer window opens. This does not come as a surprise as I mentioned in my earlier post Arshavin Desperate to be at Barca that Sport.es is trying to get their favourite Russian in the club. Arshavin some days earlier gave an interview in which he made it clear that he doesn't want to be a Zenit player in the new year. During the summer many clubs were interested in the Russian star but a move was made impossible by the price tag Zenit atatched to their star player. But now since Zenit sees a possibility of Arshavin moving out for free in the summer, they have agreed to negotiate with club who are interested. It is yet to see where he moves to; but he has clearly stated that given an option he will chose FC Barcelona. Arshavin has been a Barca fan from the times of Romario and want to spend some time in the club.

Not surprisingly it was Real Madrid who seems to have shown the initial interest to sign him in January. Real Madrid is missing their mercurial star Robben and Van Nistel Rooy through injury and would like to have Arshavin as a back up for them. It is not yet clear whether Totenham or Arsenal will re-kindle their interest in him this winter. Arsenal for me would merit heavily from his purchase but the fact that he cannot be used in Champions League would make Wenger think twice. Now with Sport.es reporting a possible chance of Barca approaching Zeni for Arshavin; this could be a tough fight for the ultimate winner. Arshavin could be played on the left side of thepitch where we are certain to miss Iniesta for some time. Henry and Hleb has not made that position their own. But will Guardiola unsettle the squad in between a very good campaign is yet to see. If Arshavin moves in to Barca, there could be a high chance of Henry leaving to Manchester City.