Thread: Barcelona - Villarreal

The B team set a great example on Saturday. Our filial scored on its first chance, extended the lead early in the second half, and held on despite conceding a penalty. All of that added up to a 0-2 Villarreal B win over Barcelona B.

So what can we expect from the A team tonight at Camp Nou? We don't have a right back with Ángel López out and Mario Gaspar suspended, so expect Cristián Zapata to deputize once again. And Garrido has a tough decision to make up front: physicality in Marco Ruben or finesse in Nilmar?

Barcelona is severely weakened at the back, as maddi has documented. But that just means that the blaugrana will rely even more heavily on their possession game. Last year at Camp Nou, we played a very solid match, but the individual brilliance of Lionel Messi and an unpardonable officiating gaffe resulted in a 3-1 defeat.

I'd be satisfied with a similar performance and a better result. Remember that David Fuster earned us a point at Camp Nou two years ago (but Messi did not play), and Jon Dahl Tomasson snatched all three points the year before. So it can be done, but our midfield and central defense must be on its game.

My starting XI:

Mario and César Sánchez are suspended for yellow card accumulation (bookings in meaningless matches do matter), and Ángel is still recovering. Get well before Bayern Munich visits El Madrigal, please.

I have class through the first half, but I will be back after the break. Endavant Villarreal!