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European Football
Preview - 23 Oct 2007
Rangers can
surprise once more.
We all know about Barcelona's strengths but it could pay to
concentrate on their weaknesses ahead of their trip to Ibrox.
Fatigue: Messi and Ronaldinho are barely recovered from the
long-haul trips to South America. Whilst El Goofy has at least had
time to recover from his all-night partying (he was dropped from the
squad against Villarreal), Messi keeps plugging away without a
break. He looked strangely subdued during the 3-1 defeat at El
Madrigal. Gabriel Milito was another long-distance traveller that
looked far from his best, whilst the likes of Henry, Xavi and
Iniesta have also featured heavily for their countries and, with
Rijkaard's options so limited now, have no choice but to keep going
through the heavy fixture programme.
Injuries: For a club as rich as successful as Barcelona, it's
surprising just how poor their squad is. Whilst hardly irreplacable,
the loss of Portuguese International Deco to injury has left a
gaping hole in midfield. Rijkaard has two options for the holding
midfield role (usually occupied by the outstanding Yaya Toure),
youth teamer Marc Crossas and Eider Gudjohnson - a striker for the
most part of his career.
Away record: Whilst virtually unbeatable at the Nou Camp, Barca's
away record over the last season and a bit is average at best. Their
numbers for the season read - played 5, won 2 (Stuttgart, Levante),
drawn 2 (Racing Santander, Osasuna), lost 1 (Villarreal). Their
pedestrian defence was ripped apart by 34 year old Robert Pires at
the weekend.
Historical statistics: For the record, and I'm not usually one to
read too much into such statistics, Barcelona have only won two of
14 competitive matches (home and away) against Scottish opposition.
Need-to-win factor: That's what's Stuttgart-Lyon is all about.
This is more of a need-to-draw game. A point would be a decent
return for both sides, with easier picking still to come.
12th man: It may be a cliché but it's a cliché that many
visitors to Ibrox have talked about (Villarreal's captain Marco
Senna said as much recently). The Ibrox faithful really do give
their team a huge lift, and the sheer volume of noise can intimidate
even the most experienced opponents. Stuttgart certainly seemed to
cave under the pressure in matchday one, conceding two quick fire
goals.
There's more besides, but the main reason to oppose Barcelona
here is their midfield injury-crisis. In short, they just don't look
equipped to deal with a hard-working, tenacious five-man Rangers
midfield, who will press, hurry and kick their more talented
counterparts all over the Ibrox pitch. Rangers' 3-0 win in Lyon was
the result of the Champions League so far, and there's every chance
they can go one better here, against a Barca side in far from ideal
shape.
Rangers v Barcelona. Tuesday 19:45.
Recommendation: 4pts Rangers
+0.75 @ 1.98. Ladbrokes.
Ilunga
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