Match Preview: Sunday 21/01/2007 19:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 19
FC BARCELONA - NASTIC

Camp Nou, Barcelona – Capacity: 99.000
Referee:


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Zambrotta (Belletti), Marquez (Thuram), Puyol, Gio - Edmilson, Iniesta, Xavi - Giuly, Saviola, Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Nastic (4-4-2): Bizzarri - Juan, Miguel Ángel Llera, César Navas, Calvo - Manuel Ruiz, Alejandro Campano, Mingo, Ángel Morales - Irurzun, Rubén Castro - Manager: Paco Flores


Match Preview:

After FC Barcelona (2nd/35 points) have played Gimnastic Tarragona (20th/9 points) tonight, nobody really doubts that Barca will leave the pitch as La Liga´s leaders, after Sevilla´s goalless draw against Villarreal last night


The last Catalan derby in the Primera Liga between Barca and Nastic goes back to 1947, the last time Gimnastic Tarragona have played top flight football. Even Nastic was found 13 years earlier than FC Abrcelona in 1886, the "real" catalan derby is considered to be Barca - Espanyol, that had been played last week.


To be honest, tonight´s match does not make the Cule´s heart racing. Only 9 points in 18 matches and bottom of the table is not the kind of outsider, you would bet money on, even the quote of 1:15 is very attactive. The good thing about the match tonight is that Barca (with a win) can move to the top of the table, still with one match more to play (next week in Betis).


FC Barcelona have found it very difficult to score in La Liga since December. While in the first matches in the season (with goalmachine Eto'o and Leo Messi) Barca scored 3 goals per match but since the start of December the average is just one goal per game. Not enough for a Barca that is famous for the attractive attacking style and floods of goals.
But Barca have got Javier Saviola back in form who scored an amazing 6 goals in the last 3 games (1 against Espanyol and 5 in the two Copa del rey legs). The "Conejo" will be let loose from the start and hopefully nets a few against lowly Nastic. Therefore, Icelandic forward Eidur Gudjohnsen will probably take his place on the bench.


For the first since month Barca coach Frank Rijkaard has 20 players available for selection against Nàstic and therefore Sylvinho and Santi Ezquerro will be rested while the rotations continue. the great news is that inspirational Deco and veteran defender Thuram are back. Iniesta picked up an injury against Espanyol and did not appear against Alaves midweek has also been given the green light.


Former Espanyol, now Nastic coach Paco Flores has a very simple tactics for the game against FC Barcelona: Praying, trying to destabilize Barca and then simply see what happens!

Flores will hand Calvo and Cesar Navas their debut.


My Prediction:
Barca will be out to bombard the Nastic goal and regain the leadership of the Spanish League after Sevilla´s slip yesterday. Barca could extend this lead in midweek, when they play their match in hand. Hopefully Saviola will be on fire and scores a few.


anything else than a clear win over Nastic should be a wonder. But wonder do not happen often and I suppose not tonight.


FC Barcelona - Gimnastic Tarragona 3:0


Visca el Barca!