Match Preview: Sunday 28/01/2007 19:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 20
FC BARCELONA - CELTA DE VIGO

Camp Nou, Barcelona – Capacity: 99.000
Referee: Carlos Delgado Ferreira


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Zambrotta (Belletti), Oleguer, Puyol, Gio - Edmilson (Motta), Deco, Xavi - Iniesta, Saviola, Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Celta (4-2-3-1): Pinto - Angel, Lequi, Contreras, Placente - Oubina, Iriney - Nunez, Canobbio, Nene - Baiano - Manager: Fernando Vazquez


Match Preview: Ronaldinho´s special football show?

La Liga leaders FC Barcelona (1st/39 points) meet struggling Celta de Vigo (14th/21 points) in the home match at Camp Nou.


FC Barcelona´s coach Frank Rijkaard told his player´s that their is only one option: 3 points at all costs!


A win would keep the Blaugrana at the top of the table however the results of the challengers are. This is a comfortable situation.


Celta have lost their last 3 away matches but generally do not have a bad away record. Only 30% of their away matches ended in defeat and the Galicians won in very difficult playes such as Sam Mames (Athletic Bilbao), Riazor (Deportivo La Coruna) and the Santiago bernabeu (Real Madrid).


FC Barcelona and talismanic magician Ronaldinho will be under pressure, despite Rijkaards simple strategy to "win at all cost". The supporters in Camp Nou will be critical of any move by the Brazilian superstar as well as the team itself. the demanding fans want to see a convincing performance again, while Barca stay at the top.


Zambrotta and Belletti are back in the team and both do have a chance to start, depending if Zambrotta will be shifted to the left again (for Gio). Thuram is out with a calf injury, Sylvinho for about 1 month with a right leg injury and Marquez is banned due to a yellow card suspension.


FC Barcelona are the favourites, despite the lack of magic and attractivity in their game. Celta´s recent away form does not conclude that they are going to win anything at Camp Nou. The only team that can beat FC Bacelona on Sunday evening is Barca itself, when they should not be able to handle the pressure.


My Prediction:


FC Barcelona are the favourites, despite the lack of magic and attractivity in their game. Celta´s recent away form does not conclude that they are going to win anything at Camp Nou. The only team that can beat FC Bacelona on Sunday evening is Barca itself, when they should not be able to handle the pressure.


I expect a lot from Ronaldinho tonight. He will be out to prove critics wrong and we all know, he is one of the players, who’s capable of turning a game around with one of his magical moves or shots. Ronaldinho claimed this week that whistling him will only motivate him and we know what he is capable of doing when he is in the right mood and motivated. He can tear any opposition defence apart. I believe this is Dinho´s night, tonight.


Celta has nothing to lose but lose... and this is going to happen tonight!


FC Barcelona - Celta 2:0
Ronnie and the Conejo will be on target!



Visca el Barca!