With all the players we're missing now, this game scares me. It's true that Getafe have a solid defense, but their offensive is not that good.

I would prefer Saviola to start this game instead of Santi, but that is not gonna happen. Rijkaard is to stubborn.

 

This game has 0-0 written all over it, I can't see Barca's short-handed creative department causing Alexis and co. any problems, they have been superb defensively this season and their goalkeeper is in inspired form.

Surely Saviola will get a start? :googly:

 

I hope Frank will use Savi in this game.

I mean it's sooo obvious we're sooo short on attacking side.

 

We are missing: Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Deco, Messi, Zambrotta, Thuram.

I'm worried. We need the win, but it will be hard to get it with all decisive players missing. I'm pessimistic for this one, I hope somebody knowledgeble convinces me I'm wrong.

FR didn't used Saviola in previous games where he certainly should have used him. Even Ezquerro was ahead of him. I think FR should either play him or leave him out of match squad, don't put him on bench if he truely isn't in this team.

So many players are missing that there is room for 2 canteranos in 18 man match squad. I predict one central defender (I hope Marc Valiente ahed of Olmo) and one attacking player (I hope winger Jeffren ahead of midfielder Marc Crosas), it's obvious dos Santos won't be used in this season.

Again. Why shouldn't I be a pessimist before this match?

 

draw

 

Saviola getting some play in this game will depend on what happens. If we rush into a good lead, then he probably won't come on. But if we are struggling to get the win, surely he will play some part in the game? Rijkaard said that Saviola wasn't part of his plans, which is why he doesn't play a lot because coaches don't want to have to go back on these kind of things. But in a game like this where a huge chunk of our offensive power isn't available, the needs of the team must take priority. If Saviola can help us win this match if we need him, then he should play as far as I'm concerned.

 

all I have to say about this game is..

I WANT THE FVCKING 3 POINTS, I DON'T GIVE SHIT WHO PLAYS AND WHO ISN'T! :fero:

 

The opposition is good defensively, so IMO Saviola should be starting (not coming off the bench). If Barça get a lead, FR can sub him near the end of the match. He HAS to use whoever is at his disposal in order to win. This isn't time for pride to get in the way of results. Come on Frank!

 

I really don`t understand this "he wasn`t in Rjikaard plans". What the **** is that suppose to mean, he is too proud to accept he is ****ing wrong?
It`s so stupid and absurd not to use him. Wake the **** up Frank.

 

I dont see Frank starting Saviola, because he plays only as a striker, so he replaces Guddy only, The absence of Ronie makes Santi starts, and Giuly will keep his position, nothing in this match changes the Guddy-Saviloa situation...

For me, I'de really like to see him starting, but I also dont mind Guddy starting and having the option of pushing Saviola in a critical moment alongside Guddy, maybe the Iclandic can go to the right flank, or plays in Deco's place if Xavi or Iniesta are under the bar..

Win is a must, and it will be a difficult -and ugly- match IMO, a 1-0 will be perfect..

 

I'm a Guddy suporter but I believe Saviola should start against Atletico already. I don't think Guddy was specially bad but one game on the bench wouldn't hurt him, au contraire it would even benefit him. But he was not even a backup in that game, so I don't see Rijkaard using him against Getafe.

Still, this match (like majority anyway) will be won or lost by midfield. I think it's now on Iniesta and Xavi to deliver what was usually on Ronaldinho's, Deco's and Eto'o's shoulders.

Rauffmann, sometimes it looks like you really don't understand completely Saviola situation. Maybe you lack some crucial information?! You DO know he's leaving Barcelona for free this summer.You DO understand that he demanded/demands a wage way bigger for a first team player, let alone a backup player. As it is, he can't be re-signed (he can't be payed better than Messi or Eto'o), and I even don't believe he wants to re-sign with Barcelona. I believe he already agreed a transfer with Sevilla and waits that his contract expires so that he'll leave Barca for free.

 

Rauffmann, sometimes it looks like you really don't understand completely Saviola situation. Maybe you lack some crucial information?! You DO know he's leaving Barcelona for free this summer.You DO understand that he demanded/demands a wage way bigger for a first team player, let alone a backup player. As it is, he can't be re-signed (he can't be payed better than Messi or Eto'o), and I even don't believe he wants to re-sign with Barcelona.I believe he already agreed a transfer with Sevilla and waits that his contract expires so that he'll leave Barca for free.

I`ve been supporting and watching Barca long enough to know exactly what is the case about Saviola. Let`s not enter that debate again.

I`ve watched Saviola playing in Barca, i don`t know about you, and he was better than the likes of Giuly and Ezquerro. Rjikaard decisions not to use him are costing the team valuable points.

Now when Rjikaard is talking about Saviola not entering his "plans", he is clearly referring about the money Saviola costs the club and not about his quality. We all know that. But when half the team is out due to injuries and suspensions, and Frank still not use him, it`s getting really ridiculous.

Do you think Rjikaard had in mind that Saviola is leaving at the summer when he did not use him Vs Atletico or Chelsea? He is too damn proud to accept he is wrong. Even Eusebio said Saviola is the best finisher we got. It`s all about Rjikaard`s stubborness.

 

The strikers of Barca don't have to finish only, they have to dribble, run, hold the ball up, etc... Saviola is a great finisher, imo a better finisher than Eto'o. So should he start over Eto'o then? NO. It's not that simple, it's not all about finishing

Don't get me wrong though i'm a big fan of Saviola. But Guddy has been good and shouldn't be dropped for him (i wouldn't mind Rijkaard resting him however), while Giuly is a better winger than him...but i won't mind him starting over Ezquerro, who i think lacks the qualities to play for Barca.


Eitherway we should have the quality to win. Just look at all results of Getafe against the big teams this season; Valencia (0-2), Zaragoza (1-3) and Atletico Madrid (0-1). Yes they did beat Madrid but they're hardly a consistent team this season. I think we should win and will be hugely disappointed if we don't.

 

Why are you guys getting so riled up? That was just a hypothetical lineup by Carles, you act as if the guy has set the starting lineup in stone.

 

This is a tricky fixture. As some have mentioned, Getafe has the best defence but their attack is the second worst in the league. The midfield have to control the game and create enough chances for the forwards to score; lately, we seem to waste a number of chances before we score one goal. Xavi has to step up if he wants to guarantee a spot back in the starting lineup. He has showed improvement in the last couple of times he played so he's going in the right way.

We have to get the 3 points especially with Sevilla having to play Real Zaragoza away and, hopefully, drop some points there.

 

It will come down to this game. After all, those last games Saviola had just come back from injury, and Esquerro was fully fit. Now after the 2 week break, Saviola should be at 100%. If he doesn't play any part, then it's obvious that Rijkaard just doesn't want anything to do with him. If he does play a part, like he has done during the season, then Rijkaard obviously does want to use him when needed.

 

Saviola's case is nothing more than stubbornness from Rijkaard. If I remember correctly, the reason we didn't want him at the beginning of the season is because he was too similar to Eto'o. And with Eto'o out you would think that we would play with the player with the most similar qualities to Eto'o.

I don't expect him to start and if Gudjohnsen, Ezquerro and Giuly get the job done, I wouldn't complain. But if those three don't score the goals we need, I want to see Saviola.

 

Usually I'm a pessimist but I don't know why now that things look worse I have the feeling that Xavi and Iniesta will win this game.

 

Usually I'm a pessimist but I don't know why now that things look worse I have the feeling that Xavi and Iniesta will win this game.

Well IMO they can win the midfield battle. I'm still pessimistic though because IMO we lack firepower up front. Not only that, but now we're without Ronaldinho who not only provides the majority of that firepower but who also supplies much of the ammunition for others. I'm not thrilled with our players on the flanks for this one. This is a match where I'd like to see Gio do Santos get a run (in place of Ezquerro). I actually really like Giuly, but if he doesn't get a good supply of the ball he won't be too effectual. He won't be supplying too many balls himself either and that's what we'll need. Hopefully he get in behind the defense with Xavi springing him on some nice through balls.

Rauffmann, sometimes it looks like you really don't understand completely Saviola situation. Maybe you lack some crucial information?! You DO know he's leaving Barcelona for free this summer.You DO understand that he demanded/demands a wage way bigger for a first team player, let alone a backup player. As it is, he can't be re-signed (he can't be payed better than Messi or Eto'o), and I even don't believe he wants to re-sign with Barcelona. I believe he already agreed a transfer with Sevilla and waits that his contract expires so that he'll leave Barca for free.

Actually I think Rauffmann gets it. He gets a little carried away often times, but I understand his frustration. I think a lot of us do. See the thing is that everything you mentioned is completely irrelevant at this point. Why? Because there is nothing that can be done about anything you've said. If for some reason it is relevant in Rijkaard's mind, then that's a problem because he's essentially putting results at risk for non-footballing reasons. In fact if he is considering anything you've mentioned then it's disappointing because he should be focusing on getting results and footballing issues.

At this point I pretty much don't even want to see Saviola play despite the fact that I think he's our best option up front right now. He's not going to be match fit and isn't getting anywhere near the minutes he needs to.

 

Tough game. We will not win this one. We always don't do well on our first games from the holiday

 

Without Ronnie and Deco, I seriously fear a bad result here and we shouldn't give too much advantage to Sevilla. Getafe were going down before the Xmas break, but you never know how everyone is going to respond after 20 days of holidays. We have to get the 3 points no matter how, this year our rivals are doing very well.

 

I would be satisfied with one point, but three points would be very welcome.

 

Without Ronnie and Deco, I seriously fear a bad result here and we shouldn't give too much advantage to Sevilla. Getafe were going down before the Xmas break, but you never know how everyone is going to respond after 20 days of holidays. We have to get the 3 points no matter how, this year our rivals are doing very well.

Madrid.

 

I think we'll see a pretty ugly game on Sunday, we usually do after the break. Hopefully we'll play ugly and win this match. We just need the points from this match, not good memories.

 

Madrid.

:howler: :howler:
Yea right!!