FC Barcelona have a hectic schedule before meeting Liverpool FC in the first leg of the knockout stage of the Champions league at Camp Nou. Barca have not less than 6 matches before February 21, while their opponents, Liverpool FC, have just 3 matches to play, thanks to Arsenal, who knocked Liverpool out at Anfield Road in both Cup competitions, FA and Carling Cup (1-3 and 3-6) .


FC Barcelona have to play Betis (Jan, 24), Celta (Jan, 28), Zaragoza (Jan, 31, Copa del Rey), Osasuna (Feb, 3/4), Racing (Feb, 10/11) and Valencia (Feb 17/18) before they take on Liverpool at Camp Nou in the Championsleague. That makes a total of 6 games in just 23 days while Liverpool will only play West Ham (Jan, 30), Everton (Feb, 3) and Newcastle (Feb, 10). After the match against Newcastle, Liverpool will have 11 days rest in which to can get prepared for their Barcelona clash.


The main reason that Liverpool have such an easy ride ahead of the Championsleague encounter with Barca is the fact that they are no longer involved in either of Englands Cups, thanks to Arsenal, who scored 9 goals at Anfield in their 3-1 and 6-3 away victories. Otherwise, they would have had to play the same amount of matches before both teams meet on February, 21.


So, is this now good news or bad news for Barca?
More games mean more match practise on a competitive level, but at the same time it increases the risk of injuries or being tired before the match. Due to the fact that Barca play championship contender Valencia on the weekend prior to the match, Frank Rijkaard will not be able to rest players for the Liverpool match.


We will see. Bring it on and I am sure we see two exciting CL clashes at Camp Nou and Anfield Road!