Zaragoza - Barcelona Preview

By: Isaiah | February 27th, 2007

Just a quick preview as I don’t have the energy for anything in-depth. Barcelona play Real Zaragoza tomorrow at 3:30pm ET in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal return leg and it won’t be easy for the blaugrana to escape this round. They’re down 1-0 on aggregate and that away goal could be crucial. A win or a draw sees Zaragoza through, a 1-0 win for Barcelona sees them go to extra time and penalties if necessary, and a 2-1 win or better would put Barcelona through.

It’s as easy as winning. But of course that’s never easy at this stage in the game and Zaragoza are a solid team playing at home. Sure they have racist fans and sure Eto’o has tried to walk off the pitch because of those racist fans, but they’re rabid fans and they lend their support whole-heartedly to their team, which makes Zaragoza all the tougher to beat. Eto’o won’t make the trip this time, though, and that’s probably the best for him. And I’m talking physically, of course, because last time he got over it by being pichichi and that’s a pretty good way of putting the racist morons in their place.

The ones that made the trip for Barcelona are: Jorquera, Valdés, Thuram, Puyol, Gio, Zambrotta, Oleguer, Márquez, Xavi, Iniesta, Deco, Giuly, Ronaldinho, Messi, Saviola and Gudjohnsen.

I’d like to see Jorquera, Oleguer, Puyol, Márquez, Zambrotta, Xavi, Iniesta, Deco, Messi, Ronaldinho, and Saviola start, if only because I think that’s their best mix of attacking and defending. Perhaps Thuram for Márquez, but only if Rafa didn’t really benefit from being rested on Sunday against Bilbao. I wish they had more than just Gudjohnsen as a backup to Saviola, but perhaps it’ll mean El Conejo gets a full 90 minutes. Guddie just hasn’t been a solid replacement for Larsson, who should never have been allowed to walk away from Camp Nou. But I think we all sort of knew that. Jorquera, by the way, gets the start because he plays in the Copa del Rey. The lineup I just gave as my preference, by the way (actually I’d prefer to see Valdés, but that’s not going to happen), was the same as the one that started against Zaragoza the last time except Edmilson started whereas I have Messi–a nice step up methinks).

Zaragoza are 6th in La Liga, but they’ve had an up-and-down month, losing to Mallora (currently 17th in La Liga) and tying Levante (15th) while beating first Espanyol (9th) and Villareal (12th). So they might come in with something to prove, especially after having been held goalless away to Levante. Diego Milito is a deadly striker and goal’poacher who has 15 goals so far in the league. He’s not to be trifled with and will pose a much bigger threat than Bilbao could muster through, well, anyone. I’ve always liked Ewerthon up front as well and if he’s healthy and not moody, El Payaso Aimar can really put a hurtin’ on a team (he is on the roster, but his knee may still be bothering him). And since their coach is calling this game “the most important of the season” (Spanish), well, they’re going to play hard.

I still say Barcelona comes out with a chip on their shoulder and still feeling the need to prove something to the media and their fans. They win 1-2 and advance. That they play Sevilla on Saturday I don’t think will distract them. And Ronnie still won’t be fat.