A test of skill and strength as battle for the leadership of Group E takes centre stage.
Match Preview: Tuesday 23/10/2007 20:45 (GMT +1), Champions League, Match Day 3
GLASGOW RANGERS - FC BARCELONA
Stadium: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow
Capacity :
Referee:
Likely Starting Line-up:
FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés, Jorquera, Puyol, Thuram, Sylvinho, Oleguer, Abidal, Milito, Iniesta, Ronaldinho, Messi, Xavi, Dos Santos, Crosas, Henry, Ezquerro, Gudjohnsen, Krkic.
Manager: Frank Rijkaard
Galsgow Rangers(4-4-2): McGregor, Hutton, Cuéllar, Weir, Papac, Beasley, Ferguson, Thomson, McCulloch, Cousin, Carroll, Boyd, Novo, Adam, Whittaker, Faye, Naismith, Burke.
Manager: Walter Smith
Match Preview:
Even while breathing fire and brimestone, Walter Smith admits the Champions League clash with Barcelona will be one of the toughest tests he has faced in his managerial career. The Rangers boss ranks the visit of the Catalan giants right up there with the two games against Juventus during his first spell at Ibrox in 1995. Rangers lost heavily both home and away to the Italians, conceding eight goals over the two games, and Juventus went on to triumph in the tournament. Smith now believes he has warmed up to playing with the big boys and is hoping to avoid a repeat performance this time around, against Barca, insisting he and his players will relish every moment of the tussle. The Rangers' players have come out en masse to verbally support their coach and attack the visiting Barca squad, with hopes of winning a psychological battle well ahead of the physical battle on the pitch.
The Glasgow outfit pride themselves in the 3-0 win in Stade Gerland against Lyon and have said such victory only proved that beating Stuttgart was not a one-off event. Rangers' coach Walter Smith will be without Jean-Claude Darcheville, who has a hamstring injury, and Brahim Hemdani, who has a groin problem. There is some good news for the Gers' boss though as Kris Boyd returns to the squad after missing the win over Celtic.
Frank Rijkaard has a few more problems to contend with as Deco has recently been added to the injury list at Camp Nou after tearing a muscle in his thigh against Villarreal. Touré Yaya is also out along with Samuel Eto'o, Gianluca Zambrotta, Edmílson and Rafa Márquez. Ronaldinho is back in the squad after he was omitted from the match at the weekend, and an inspired Bojan Krkic will hope to be given another opportunity to stamp his presence further after the goal machine opened his official FC Barcelona account over the weekend with a goal against Villarreal.
No doubt, the long list of injured players will affect Barca, and also considering that most of the available players are tired from lengthy commitments to their countries for matches played in a long stretch of one week in different parts of the world. However, the inner strength of the Catalan stars is expected to come to the fore this night as Glasgow rangers are not expected to upstage the highly favoured Barcelona squad.
My Prediction:
Both Rangers and Barca will come out smoking tonight, with Rangers being the more aggressive side. Barca must watch the inspired Scotts and strive to prevent an early goal, as this will stabilize them as it did against Villarreal. FC Barcelona's defence holds the key in this encounter. Any lapse in defence by the Blaugrana will be disastrous.
The Barca attack will live up to its billings and a goal or two is all but certain from the talented strike force. An additional desire to make amends after suffering a loss over the weekend will inspire Barcelona further. I forsee:
Glasgow Rangers - FC Barcelona 1 - 2
