Group E battle continues as FC Barcelona and Glasgow Rangers fight for who tops the group.


Match Preview: Tuesday 2/10/2007 20:45 (GMT +1), Champions League, Match Day 2

VfB STUTTGART - FC BARCELONA


Stadium:Gottlieb-Daimler, Stuttgart
Capacity :

Referee:Martin Hansson (Sweden)


Full Squad:


FC Barcelona (4-3-3):Valdés, Jorquera, Sylvinho, Abidal, Puyol, Milito, Oleguer, Thuram, Márquez, Xavi, Iniesta, Deco, Ronaldinho, Gudjohnsen, Marc Crosas, Bojan, Giovani, Messi, Henry.
Manager: Frank Rijkaard


VfB Stuttgart(4-4-2) : Being Awaited

Manager: Armin Veh



Match Preview:

FC Barcelona will have to rise up to the occassion inspite of being bugged down with injuries. The Catalan giants are tipped to top Group E of the Champions League and a loss is Germany today will definitely not help that cause. Ronaldinho and Marquez are back from injury to boost the squad, while captain Carles Puyol is making his come back also, today being his first appearance in the Champions League. Gabriel Milito will wait till the last minute to know if he'll be fit to play.


The absence of Toure Yaya will be felt in the defensive midfield area, and Barca could concede a goal as a result of the Ivorien's absence. However, the Blaugrana have a formidable attack which can score as many goals as possible in a single encounter. With Thierry Henry still smoking from his hattrick against Levante in the Spanish La Liga, things could be problematic for the Stuttgart defence, as they'll have to also find a way to neutralize the magic from Lionel Messi.


Stuttgart are looking to get their season back on track after a miserable start to the defence of their title was compounded by a weekend defeat to Bundesliga new boys Hansa Rostock.
The champions are now in 10th place in the German top flight, already 10 points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich.


Tuesday's game against the Spanish giants is now a diversion that coach Armin Veh could do without, particularly as he fears the worst against the ever threatening attack of FC Barcelona, and the unpredictable and often surprising nature of Ronaldinho's goal scoring efforts as the Brazilian takes opponents and goal keepers by surprise whenever he decides to strike. There is little Veh can do to alter his back line, however, with Matthieu Delpierre sidelined after a knee operation. Thomas Hitzlsperger is also likely to miss out again with a foot injury. Yildiray Basturk did not playa against Hansa, but could be set for a return against Barça.


It will be a keenly contested match, with the better team winning. Luck may not come into play today, as the Champions League is often decided on form and results, rather than fortune.


My Prediction:

Stuttgart's tall players will capitalize on their height advantage and also on the absence of key defensive players like Toure Yaya and Gianluca Zambrotta. FC Barcelona will rally round to maintain the upper hand they have against the Germans, judging by form. In the end, I forsee-


VfB Stuttgart - FC Barcelona 1 - 3