Let's have 'em.....the Barca build up thread

[bazza76]

Eto'o out of Barca squad
Sign him up Rafa:

Eto'o left out again

From correspondents in Barcelona
February 21, 2007

THREE-time African player of the year Samuel Eto'o has been left out of the Barcelona squad that will play Liverpool in the Champions League last 16 first leg match tomorrow.

The Catalan club confirmed overnight that last season's Primera Liga top scorer would miss the clash between the last two Champions League winners but no spokesperson would immediately explain why Eto'o had been axed.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard had earlier suggested that Eto'o would at least be part of the Catalan club's 18-man squad to face the men from Merseyside.

"Psychologically he's fine and physically he's getting better all the time," Rijkaard said before Barcelona's final training session in preparation for game.

A rift has emerged between Eto'o and Rijkaard since the Cameroon striker's refusal to take the field for the Spanish league leader against Racing Santander 10 days ago.

Eto'o himself requested not to be part of the Barca squad that lost 2-1 at Valencia on Monday (AEDT).

The player has only played 10 minutes of competitive football since suffering an injury to his right knee in the Champions League group stages against Werder Breman in September that kept him on the sidelines for four months.

Two other players to be left out of the Barca squad are the Brazilian internationals Sylvinho and Edmilson.

[AFII]

---------------Reina
Arbeloa-----Carra---Agger----Riise
---------Alonso----Sissoko or Mascherano
Finnan---------Gerrard-------Aurelio
---------------Kuyt

I still think we will play like this.

[Aus_LFC]

From another site ....

20.2.07 Barcelona vs LFC: Latest team news

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez looks set to name Craig Bellamy and Peter Crouch on the bench for the visit to the Nou Camp with Dirk Kuyt starting as a lone striker and captain Steven Gerrard just behind.

Despite last week's training incident in Portugal, Norwegian defender Jon Arne Riise should start at the back in the Champions League last 16 match with Jamie Carragher, Alvaro Arbeloa and Daniel Agger.

A four-man midfield in a 4-4-1-1 line-up sees Steve Finnan on the right and Bolo Zenden on the left with Mohamed Sissoko providing the steel in the centre next to the more creative Xabi Alonso.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has left striker Samuel Eto'o out of his squad to face the Reds, following reports of a falling-out with the 25-year-old.

Lilian Thuram could start in defence, so Rafael Marquez will push forward.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Agger, Carragher, Riise, Finnan, Alonso, Sissoko, Zenden, Gerrard, Kuyt, Gonzalez, Bellamy, Crouch, Fowler, Hyypia, Pennant, Dudek, Arbeloa, Guthrie, Paletta.

----------------------

I have a couple of questions ...

1) Now Mascherano can play for us will he be given a chance ?
2) Why the **** would we play Zenden ?

[Parm]

Did anyone watch Revista De La Liga ?

For some bizarre reason, Balague, Hunter and Gerry Francis all agreed that Arbloea (sp) will start tomorrow night.

Cant see it myself, I think we'll see..

-----------Crouch--Bellamy
---------------Gerrard
-----------Alonso--Sissoko
Aurelio----------------------Finnan
---------Agger--Sami--Carra
----------------Reina

swap one of the top 2 for kuyt and we're on. As for Eto'o being out, I thought he would be, think he'll be back for the home leg.

[Parm]

or we could just score more goals then them

[thesilverfoxlfc]

The boys will not be affected by the trouble at all. It was not as big a deal as has been said. The media have only delved into this slighty. No pictures of the incident, no news reporters at the scene, its says it all really.

It happened we dealt with it and IMO will not affect our bulid up.

I hope Bellamy starts up front for us. He'll be on fire and ready to prove a point. Its the stage he wanted to play on so i hope he takes it.

Barca are a bit rocky at the moment but still a great side so i wouldnt dismiss them lightly although it does seem a good time to play them.

I cant wait for the home leg at Anfield it will be reminiscent of the Chelski semi final match 2 years ago the KOP will be electric as it was on that night and where i heard one of the finest YNWA ive ever seen. Passion and Pride is alive and well

[anfieldanfield]

Is anyone else incredibly nervous already ?

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Nope im not give it around 7 tomorrow and i will but im not one bit worried so far. I think that we have the second leg at home its a kinda comfort if something goes wrong tomorrow.There is just something magical about Anfield on Champs League nights

[Maestro]

Is anyone else incredibly nervous already ?

Tying not to think about, tbh. That's why I'm off to bed now.

[anfieldanfield]

Tying not to think about, tbh. That's why I'm off to bed now.

As soon as you wake up tomorrow...it will hit you.

[Shaggy]

Is anyone else incredibly nervous already ?

Yes mate, I am. I had my first bout of rusty arse piss earlier, and I should imagine it'll carry on throughout tomorrow.

[Parm]

Nope im not give it around 7 tomorrow and i will but im not one bit worried so far. I think that we have the second leg at home its a kinda comfort if something goes wrong tomorrow.There is just something magical about Anfield on Champs League nights

yuo am the same, am ok now, adrenalin kicking in, but when I get to the pub it'll start hitting.

[anfieldanfield]

Yes mate, I am. I had my first bout of rusty arse piss earlier, and I should imagine it'll carry on throughout tomorrow.

It's suddenly hit me...the importance of it all. I'm dead nervous now.

I also found out yesterday that incredibly, I might be getting a ticket for the return game, which has just doubled all the nervousness, anticipation and fear inside me. If we can get through tomorrow night still in with a shout, you just never know at Anfield...

I genuinely believe IF we can get past Barcelona, we could win it again.

Massive, massive ask though.

Phew, I'm off to bed.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

The standard of the Champs league isnt all that great. We have a great chance if we get past Barca

[anfieldanfield]

The standard of the Champs league isnt all that great. We have a great chance if we get past Barca

25/1 is a very tempting price..

The standard might not be great, but It's still an absolutely electric competition, the Madrid-Munich game tonight was superb...