Match Preview: Wednesday 18/04/2007 21:00 (GMT +1): Copa Del Rey, Semifinal 1st Leg
FC BARCELONA - GETAFE

Camp Nou, Barcelona – Capacity: 99.000
Referee: Mejuto Gonzalez


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Joquera - Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Gio - Marquez, Xavi, Deco - Iniesta (Saviola), Eto´o, Messi - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Getafe (4-4-2): Luis Garcia - Costas, Belenguer, Alexis, Paredes - Mario Cotelo, Celestini, Vivar Dorado, Nacho - Verpakovskis, Guiza - Manager: Bernd Schuster


Match Preview:


La Liga leaders FC Barcelona will meet suprise package Getafe from the suburbs of Madrid in tonights semifinal of the Copa del Rey at Camp Nou.


Record holder FC Barcelona are desperate to win the title for the 25th time after their last win of the Cup title was 9 years ago in 1998 and especially after the exit from the Champions League as reigning champions.


Former Barca star and current Getafe coach is rumopured to take over Real Madrid in the summer, a recognition for his excellent job done with Getafe. This year Getafe has got a chance to qualify for Europe even and for Schuster it would be the greatest to say good-bye after winning the Spanish Cup and an automatical qualification for the UEFA Cup.


Getafe has done very well so far in the Cup competition, but will still be considered as big outsider to win the competition and this tie over two legs against FC Barcelona. Getafe have a very well-organised and solid defence and move very fast on the counter attack.


Barca will be without Belletti, Motta, Edmilson, Ronaldinho, Giuly and Sylvinho. The first 3 have injuries, while Ronaldinho, Giuly and Sylvinho are rested. Ronaldinho is still working on his full fitness.


I expect Rijkaard to opt for a 4-4-2 against Getafe. Goalkeeper Albert Joquera will replace Víctor Valdés as usual for Cup matches. Zambrotta should start on the right and Gio on the left full back position. Thuram or Marquez will partner captain Puyol in the centre of the defence. I suppose Rijkaard will pick Thuram, so he has got the option to play Marquez on the central, fefensive midfield holding role or go for a more creative, offensive 3-man midfield with Xavi, Iniesta and Deco. Should Rijkaard start with Marquez, Iniesta could get a start on the right wing together with Eto´o as centre forward and Messi on the left. May be even Saviola gets his chance.


Also Getqafe will probably start with Luis Garcia who takes over from the regular No. 1 Argentine Roberto Abbondanzieri. Romanian Cosmin Contra will be rested and replaced by David Cortes on the right full back position. I believe Schuster will go for a 4-4-2 instead of an expected 4-5-1. The German tactician will probably start with two strikers in pacey Verpakovskis and goal-getter Guiza. David Belenguer will also return to the heart of the defence.


My Prediction:

Schuster will be looking for a good result at Camp Nou, so they can surprise the Spanish Champions at home. Getafe will defend and looking for the counter attack, but trying to score an important away goal.


Barca will have to show some fighting spirit and some will to win the Cup, if they want to succeed. But even without the magician Dinho, the team should have class enough to take a decent leat to Getafe.


Not an easy game but anthing else than a victory would be very disappointing.
FC Barcelona - Getafe 2:0



Visca el Barca!