Coach Rijkaard is not taking any chances against Murcia.


The Dutchman raised he stakes by describing Murcia as well organised side. The Bluagrana can't afford to even draw any more games in the La Liga, and a win against Murcia at home in Camp Nou looks all but certain. However, Rijkaard is not following he crowd as the Barca tactician remains in a sobre and pensive mood before Barca's first match in the Camp Nou this year. Rijkaard spoke of Murcia:

They are a well organised team, which have a certain shape, and have wide men that come inside and cause problems. They also have a great team spirit and and are on form, so the team needs to prepare and find the mentality to get a result.

Read more:


FC Barcelona - Murcia: Coach Rijkaard's Pre-Match Comments.

The Blaugrana have the advantage of playing at home first, as they host Sevilla in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey 1/8 round.



FC Barcelona have been drawn with defending champions Sevilla for the next stage of the Copa Del Rey. The Catalan giants were pitched against Kanoute's team after the Draws were held Friday at noon. Both the 1/8 and 1/4 final rounds were drawn simultaneously. Barca's league oponents this weekend, Real Mallorca were drawn against Real Madrid. Getafe, who eliminated Barca last season, will square up against Levante. The full draw for the next two rounds are as follows:


1/8 Final:


Two legs - to be played January 9th and January 16th. Teams drawn first play home leg first.


1 - Recreativo - Villarreal

2 - Sevilla - Barcelona
3 - Zaragoza - Racing Santander

4 - Real Mallorca - Real Madrid
5 - Athletic Bilbao - Espanyol

6 - Real Betis - Valencia
7 - Atletico Madrid - Valladolid

8 - Getafe - Levante


1/4 Final:


Two legs - to be played January 23rd and January 30th. Teams drawn first play home leg first.


Winner 1 - Winner 2
Winner 6 - Winner 7

Winner 8 - Winner 4
Winner 3 - Winner 5

Getafe will be the first test for Barca after the Blaugrana declared winning away matches their new top priority.


Coach Frank Rijkaard is confident that FC Barcelona stop dropping vital away points from the Getafe match, which the Dutchman sees as a must-win match for the Catalan giants. Barca remain second in the La Liga table and a point behind leaders Real Madrid. Were Barca not to have dropped vital away points, the Blaugrana would have been a distant first ahead of all other teams. Rijkaard says of the forthcoming match:

We are well organised and that the side is working well. Now all we need to do is make the difference by scoring goals at the other end.

On Getafe team itself, Rijkaard says:

They are playing well at home. They have not let in many goals and they are well organised and, lately, they have found some form. It will be an interesting game because they want to continue their run and we want to win too.

Read more as well as Rijkaard's analysis of the Henry-Ronladinho-Messi trio:


Getafe - FC Barcelona: Coach Rijkaard's Pre-Match Comments.

Finally, another chance for Barca to prove they can break down stubborn defences.


Match Preview: Wednesday 07/11/2007 20:45 hours (GMT +1), Champions League, Match Day 4

FC BARCELONA ( 1st/7pts ) - GLASGOW RANGERS ( 2nd/7pts )
Stadium: Camp Nou, Barcelona

Capacity : 98,772
Referee:


Match Preview:

The stage seems set for a grudge match. Glasgow Rangers held FC Barcelona to a goalless draw in a famous match that attracted world media attention after Barca players, spear-headed by Lionel Messi, accused Rangers of playing anti-football, much to the displeasure of the Rangers fans and entire team. Messi hinged his criticism of Rangers on the all-out defensive play the Scottish war lords played all through the champions league game at Ibrox, frustrating the highly talented Blaugrana attack who came out hoping for an even game filled with the blitz and fun of European championship football. Lots of words were traded among officials and fans alike, with the final resolve being that the return match at Camp Nou will be used to settle scores. Now the time has come. At 20:45 hours local time, we shall witness the start of Barca and Rangers part two, like a sequel to a block-buster Hollywood movie.


Barca are coming into the game fully charged, as they are still reeling from the 3-0 bashing of La Liga spoilers, Real Betis and also are further inspired by the atmoshpere experienced when playing at Camp Nou. A return to magic by Ronaldinho is also an added incentive for the Blaugrana and the goals from Thierry Henry are not expected to end so soon. Barca have a lot of things for them as they file out against the Scotts. Toure Yaya and Marquez are back in full too. The only sore point is the exclusion of Zambrotta from the team, though the Italian international has been replaced by equally talented Argentine defender, Gabriel Milito who was sidelined against Betis to enable his full recovery.


Rangers on their own part are eager to prove they are no push-overs and certainly not the apostles of anti-football. Coach Walter Smith and his boys will be coming to Camp Nou to redeem their name and even look towards getting a draw in order to drive home their warning of the big teams in European, which they have been doing well by bashing Lyon and VfB Stuttgart with three goals on each occassion. With both Rangers and Barca tied on seven points each at the top of Group E, a lot more is at stake than just a win and name redemption. The team who tops the group will likely determine the fate of such a team in the next stage of the champions league, and whoever wins tonight’s encounter will likely top the group after the final matches are played.


Rangers are boosted by the return of Brahim Hemdani, Jean-Claude Darcheville and Charlie Adam, three great players who were all absent in the first match against the Catalan giants, and players who can win a match for their team on a good day. However, just like Barca, the Gers also have their absentee worries, but in a much less intensity. Only Kevin Thompson will be missing from the squad as he's on suspension. Other than Thomson, Gers have a full squad to file out against the league leaders.


My Prediction:
A full squad will not be enough to guarantee Rangers a draw, much less a victory against Barcelona. Due to that fact, Coach Walter smith is not expected to change his plans of an all-out defensive lineup against the blitz of attacks expected from the fired-up Barca stars. I see a very tough match coming up for both sides, but I also see Barca triumphing in the end. Predicted scoreline is:


FC Barcelona - Glasgow Rangers 2-0

First set-back for Glasgow Rangers ahead of Ibrox battle with Barcelona showdown.


Rangers boss Walter Smith has ruled Jean-Claude Darcheville and Brahim Hemdani out of his plans for tomorrow's Champions League clash with Barcelona. French striker Darcheville has been a key man in European games for Rangers since joining in the summer but a hamstring problem keeps him out, and holding midfielder Hemdani is struggling with a groin problem. Hemdani has also featured prominently in Europe, occupying the crucial role protecting the back four. Both players missed Saturday's 3-0 victory over Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
However, Kris Boyd returns to the Rangers squad for the Barcelona match. Boyd was surprisingly dropped by Smith for the Old Firm clash and did not even feature on the bench, however he could go straight back into the team to face the Primera Liga giants.