Good news or smoke screen?

[Cleo]

Eto’o left off Barcelona squad
MADRID, Spain (AP)
Samuel Eto’o was omitted on Saturday from FC Barcelona’s squad for a Spanish league match with Valencia.
The striker’s absence was reportedly unconnected with his outburst on Tuesday when he railed against coach Frank Rijkaard and Ronaldinho for suggesting he refused to play as a substitute in last weekend’s win over Racing Santander.
The Web site of sports daily Marca said the Cameroon striker asked Rijkaard to be left out of Sunday’s match as he feels his right knee requires strengthening before he can play again.
Eto’o was sidelined for four months after tearing and displacing the meniscus in his knee during a Champions League match at Werder Bremen. The 26-year-old reappeared for five minutes at the end of Barcelona’s 0-0 draw with Osasuna on Feb. 4.
Eto’o has been replaced in the 18-man squad for the game at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium by Iceland’s Eidur Gudjohnsen.
The match comes three days before Barcelona continues its Champions League title defense in the first leg of the second round against Liverpool.
After 22 Spanish league games, Barcelona has 46 points, three more than second-place Sevilla. Madrid is third with 41, while Valencia has 39.

[Eth]

Has to be good - lack of match fitness

[jonesie]

I definately can't see him starting on Wednesday. He'll be on the bench. So that's just Ronaldinho, Messi, Saviola, Gudjohnsen, Giuly, Xavi and Deco left to worry about then.

[anfieldanfield]

If he doesn't play on Sunday, I cant see how he is going to be even remotely fit for Wednesday.

[Marky]

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has been rested ahead of the club's UEFA Champions League clash with Liverpool.

It had been thought Eto'o would continue his return to full fitness with a run-out against Valencia at the Mestalla this weekend.

Eto'o was a controversial no show against Racing Santander last weekend after making a late appearance in the goalless draw at Osasuna.

The Cameroon international ace has admitted his knee is still giving him trouble and has now opted against travelling with the squad to Valencia in order to work on his fitness.

"Eto'o has told me he feels his fitness is improving but that he would prefer to stay in Barcelona to continue working to achieve his peak form," said manager Frank Rijkaard.

"He wants to have the best fitness possible ahead of the Champions League clash with Liverpool."

Eidur Gudjohnsen is set take Eto'o's place on the bench against Valencia with Javier Saviola likely to continue up front.

[anfieldanfield]

To be fair, Xabi Alonso hadn't played for a couple of months before Rafa threw him back in against Juventus, remember ?

[jonesie]

To be fair, Xabi Alonso hadn't played for a couple of months before Rafa threw him back in against Juventus, remember ?

He did, but it was because he needed to. Stevie was injured.

Xabi was needed (and had a great game) because we had the likes of Biscan, Traore and Nunez starting, and Le Tallec, Smicer and Cisse (his first game back from broken leg) coming on from the bench.

How the **** did we win that cup again?!

[Chris]

He did, but it was because he needed to. Stevie was injured.

Xabi was needed (and had a great game) because we had the likes of Biscan, Traore and Nunez starting, and Le Tallec, Smicer and Cisse (his first game back from broken leg) coming on from the bench.

How the **** did we win that cup again?!

And Didi was out. It was either Xabi or John Welsh for the holding role, I think the gaffer made the correct choice haha. He was majestic, passed brilliantly, played a brilliant ball which Baros should of scored from, and was incredible defensively

[SouthAfricaRed]

I definately can't see him starting on Wednesday. He'll be on the bench. So that's just Ronaldinho, Messi, Saviola, Gudjohnsen, Giuly, Xavi and Deco left to worry about then.

He'll start against us.

Barca are playing mind games. It shows they consider us a much Bigger Threat than they claimed after the draw

[mikeg]

Ronaldinho, Messi, Saviola, Gudjohnsen, Giuly, Xavi and Deco left to worry about then.

if we play a 100% committed english display, pressing all over the pitch then theres nothing they can do about it because they cant handle that type of game

look at chelsea, they were really unlucky to go out to them last season and the season before they knocked them out, i think our game is very similiar to chelseas so we have nothing to fear

[jonesie]

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has been rested ahead of the club's UEFA Champions League clash with Liverpool.

Did anyone else read that wrong at first and think he'd been arrested?

I thought he'd been in Portugal nutting people with Jerzy.

[The Glove]

They will field their best side against us. In fighting will be put aside for the Champions League.

[Resu]

Let`s hope we can do same.




"Laughs my evil laugh after turning another thread into a "golf-club" one"