Match Preview: Barcelona-Espanyol

FC Barcelona-RCD Espanyol
Venue: Camp Nou



The cameras covering Spanish club matches have a tendency to focus on the coaches often during a game. Watching Guardiola’s confident smile and excited arm-waving directions during the games his approach and involvement is perceptible. Pep approaches his coaching in the manner of someone approaching a chess-game, exercising his influence over all the variables- player management, team strategy, fitness, etc.

In fact if he weren’t actually coaching Barca I imagine he would be spending his time discussing player attributes and team strategy somewhere on this blog. This approach is of-course perfectly congruent with his job except for the odd occasion when the pressure to force a win and achieve a result doesn’t quite align completely with Pep’s plans.

While using player rotation to keep the team on their toes and the opposition guessing, Guardiola has fielded a distinctly different team in the Copa matches. However, now he has reached a knock-out stage where not fielding first team regulars would be indicative of a disinclination to take the King’s Cup as seriously as he does the Champions League and La Liga. The performance of the second team was unpromising in the first leg of the quarterfinal clash and to progress Pep will have to beef up the team with some muscle from the first team regulars.

There was a 5 day gap after last weekend’s Liga game but there are also only 3 days to go before the next against Racing. However, expect Gaurdiola to field a full strength squad while also including a few of the Copa regulars to test their mettle under pressure.

Espanyol have battled fiercely at the Camp Nou. Barca’s last win at home was in the SuperCopa in 2006. But for the league win earlier this season that was also the last time Barca beat Espanyol. Espanyol’s struggles in the Liga and the growing injury list is unlikely to dampen their motivation. Indeed besides their usual envious grit against Barca the Copa might be their only chance to salvage the season. The experiences of Alaves and Real Oviedo after being relegated will play on the minds of the Primera Division regulars and urge them to secure a shot in the UEFA Cup next season.

With Marquez still out Guardiola probably won't risk playing Caceres in defense so Pique and Puyol should start. Sylvinho may be sacrificed for Abidal to secure one side of the defense. Alves’s role in keeping the Espanyol midfield camped in their own half and also keeping Nene occupied in defense will be vital.

Busquets will likely play the pivot and hold the midfield together while Gudjohnsen despite his poor performance last time round may get a start with Keita still recovering from his knee injury. Of the front three I expect only two to start with Bojan or Iniesta taking the last position depending on who is rested. Iniesta starting on the left wing would mean Xavi pulling the strings in midfield else Iniesta could takeover the playmaker role should Bojan start.

Pochettino has at least arrested the slide for Espanyol with two draws after the 4-0 loss to Malaga. Roman Martinez will pull the strings in midfield trying to release either Luis Garcia or Nene. Pareja should start after picking up a knock on the weekend and with Jarque will attempt to dominate physically in defense. Moises Hurtado and Valdo are out injured so Milan Smiljanic and the ageing Rufete will most likely take their places. Ivan De La Pena who played in the Barca Youth and Senior teams is regaining fitness but might not make the bench for this game.

Espanyol will look to break down Barca’s passing and movement but are unlikely to be over-committed in defense. The stalemate in the first leg where they had plenty of chances to score will have emboldened them and they will seek once again to expose Barca’s vulnerability at the back. Snatching an away goal early will put pressure on Barca who will then have to score twice while Espanyol can settle back in defense.

Barca on the other hand have looked patient and immensely confident even after going a goal down but it remains to be seen if they can react the same way in these knock-out stages where the pressure and the task at hand are proportionately greater. With so many match-winners to turn to in Messi, Eto’o, Henry, Xavi, Iniesta and Alves and co Barca should pull through although this game just might test their mettle.

Expect a rousing encounter !!

Prediction: 3-1 in favour of Barca after a tough first 30 minutes.


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