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LFP | J30 | FC Barcelona vs Athletic Club

9.1K views 182 replies 39 participants last post by  Moe  
#1 ·

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FC BARCELONA vs ATHLETIC CLUB
Camp Nou (Barcelona) | Sat, Apr 3 | 20:00 CET

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Important and tough game in the Camp Nou before we visit the Bernabeu for the key game of the season. Because of this reason, it's very important to get the 3 points no matter how in order to go to Madrid with big chances to put half Liga in our pockets.

The good news is that, probably, Abidal will be back in the team and get some minutes before the decisive games that we have in front of us. And we also can hope that the team do not pay the effort made in London this week.

Our rival lives a sweet moment and we all know the danger of Toquero and Llorente upfront and the dinamic football of Javi Martinez in the midfield in a team that is recognizible for the fighting spirit.

A classic of La Liga.

SOM-HI BARÇA!
 
#3 ·
This won't be easy... we'll have to suffer to win this game.. but I think we'll make it.
 
#8 ·
without being critical. A win is all I demand for our next three matches. No champagne football no problem.
Bilbao always is intresting. We played them twice already so I expect PeP to know his onions.
I think Pep and the boys must realise 3 points here or in the Bernabau are the same as far as the Title is concerned. Please, please win this.
 
#9 ·
Very important thing: Be aware for possible ref's card mission.

It's Antonio Mateu Lahoz, the guy who took ATM in CdR final by seeing a penalty in a foul 2 meters outside the box, after not seeing the handball by Antonio Lopez in the other box.

He showed red card to Albiol at Bernabeu vs Racing.
 
#10 ·
Tricky fixture and a must win before a decisive week. Will Pep field a strong 11? Or rest key players?

I'm excited to see Abidal starting again and hopefully he'll be in great shape because next week will be mad hectic. I'd start Pique and Puyol again since they'll get their rest midweek against Arsenal, and Messi should be rested for this one and hopefully Bojan will start.


Alves - Pique - Puyol - Abidal

Yaya

Xavi - Keita

Pedro - Ibra - Bojan
 
#11 ·
I would rest Pedro too and start with old ass Henry... we need Pedro vs Arsenal.
 
#13 ·
Maybe he'll show something against Bilbao.. or did he ever played for Bilbao ?:tongue:
 
#18 ·
The question on everybody's mind here is: Will Pep try his makeshift defense in the league game? or will he hide his cards and rest these defenders until the arsenal game?

Milito doesn't need the minutes, he might get a few as preparation but all in all he's match fit and ready as he has been getting some minutes every now and then. We still don't know who will pair him in central defense on Tuesday: Marquez, Abidal, or Yaya.

I expect Abidal to play LB on Sunday and his performance against Bilbao would determine if he can be used against Arsenal. Same goes for Marquez. Maybe we'll see Yaya in defense in prep? but i don't see it happening against Bilbao
 
#19 ·
Important and tough game in the Camp Nou before we visit the Bernabeu for the key game of the season.
Not according to your manager.

"El partido en el Bernabéu es el menos importante de todos los que nos quedan en Liga."

Ok Pep... :lala: :D
 
#20 ·
Josh

If we lose against Athletic and go to SB @-3,that game becomes quite fatalistic which is not the same as important.

It goes without saying that we gotta pack Athletic.This is like last year when we came to the SB in between the Chelsea Semis,just that this time it is the next game.
 
#22 ·
They are Madrid fans - something other then La Liga in April is a forgotten concept for them :pp
 
#24 ·
I hope Milito doesn't play tonight. Athletic aren't THAT difficult in the Camp Nou so a defense of Puyi - Pique - Abidal +1 should suffice. I wouldn't risk Milito because what will we do then if he somehow gets injured. The defense is the only thing that can make problems for us in the CL, as the rest of the team is at Pep's disposal.

I'd pair Pique up with Marquez for this match, and save Milito and Yaya for Tuesday as I want them to be our CB pairing.
 
#27 ·
I don't want Puyol at rightback, it's such a downgrade to Alves. So I would play Jeffren at RB, and I don't care what anyone says he wasn't that good at fullback, play him there to gain experience on that position, and he'll do good. He's fast, he knows to dribble, he has a very good cross. He's born to be a fullback in Barcelona.

Anyways, that would make Puyol and Pique at CB. This pairing is good enough to cover possible Jeffren's defensive mistakes.

I just hope Pep listens to me.
 
#33 ·
What's the value in playing Chygrinski tonight? Obviously the deal here is resting the defenders who might play on Tuesday while completely concealing the CL lineup.

Xavi is rested... obviously as he's just back from an injury he can't be expected to start all these games. But we're playing 5 defenders + 2 DM? are we Mourinho's chelsea all of a sudden ? There's got to me a mistake in that lineup