Match Preview: Sunday 09/04/2006 19:00 (GMT+2): La Liga match day 32
Racing Santander - FC Barcelona

El Sardinero, FC Barcelona – capacity: 22.500


Referee: Rubinos Pérez


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés – Belletti, Puyol, Edmilson, Gio (Silvinho) – Van Bommel , Iniesta, Deco, - Giuly , Eto'o, Larsson – Manager: Frank Rijkaard



Racing Santander (4-4-2): Aouate - Damià, Garay, Pablo Alfaro, Neru - Melo, Casquero, Matabuena, Vitolo - Pinilla, Valle (Oscar Serrano) - Manager : Manolo Preciado


FC Barcelona, the Primera Liga leader with 69 points travels to El Sardinero to take on Racing Santander (14th, 33 points) without Ronaldinho, Oleguer, Messi, Thiago Motta, Marquez and also Xavi. Barca coach Frank Rijkaard is not taking any risk before the semi finals against AC Milan. The Spanish Championship is nearly won, so he gives players a rest or let them recover from their recent injuries. Barça will still go out for a win, just to take off the pressure before next week's match against Villarreal, in which both sides are expected to take it a bit easier before their important semi finals in the Champions League against AC Milan and Arsenal. On Sunday Barça will meet fellow team mate Damià who does a great job for Racing Santander since his loan move in January. The right wing back scored 3 goals in 11 matches and is expected wanting to show that he is a great talent and good enough to get a place in the Barça squad next year.


Friday's training session saw Xavi back with the rest of the squad after two weeks of training on his own. But Barça coach Frank Rijkaard thought it was too early to call him up for a trip to Santander. Also Leo Messi was in full training but also young Messi will not be put at risk. Barca defender Rafael Marquez is still working his way back to full fitness following the hamstring injury he picked up against Real Sociedad. Oleguer will be rested to recover for the semi finals against Milan. The big surprise is that Ronaldinho is not making the trip to Santander and he will not be put at risk to play. His problems in his right leg are still existing and Barca Boss Rijkaard decided not to include him in the team.


Our Prediction: Barça Boss Frank Rijkaard has all the confidence in the rest of the team to take the 3 points home and get another step nearer towards the Spanish Championship title. Barca will again dominate and control the game with a ball possesion of around 60% and Giuly, Etoo and Larsson will be on goal scoring alert.

Racing Santander v FC Barcelona 0-2


Here are the odds for the game.

FC Barcelona 1,46

Draw 3,85
Racing Santander 6,50


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