Copa del Rey - Last 16 1st Leg

redout

Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao, 19:00 - Live Sky Sports 2
Cordoba v Deportivo, 19:00
Valencia v Villarreal, 21:00 - Live Sky Sports 2

Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Atletico v Espanyol, 19:00 - Live Sky Sports 2
Real Betis v Getafe, 19:00
Sevilla v Malaga, 19:00
Almeria v Mallorca, 20:00
Real Madrid v Levante, 21:00 - Live Sky Sports 2

tdv123

Any team news for Barca yet?

redout

tdv123 wrote: »

Any team news for Barca yet?

Nada as yet. Team wont be named until about an hour before. Messi did not train with the group yesterday but Milito and Jeffren did. Pep has said he will take this match seriously but I would still expect some of the next batch of La Masia starlets to feature. Llorente is injured for the Basques. These two being the Copas most succesful teams have won it a mind blowing 48 times between them (Barca 25, Bilbao 23).

redout

Barca lineup:
Pinto, Alves, Piqué, Abidal, Maxwell, Mascherano, Xavi, Keita, Iniesta, Pedro, Bojan

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Strong Barca team, surprised to see them go with 2 defensive midf though. Tie of the round has to be the Valencia match, any predictions? Dont watch enough of La Liga to have an opinion... and I may have put a sneaky bet on it!;)

Pinturicchio

Keita's not really a defensive midfielder.

Raskolnikov

I have backed 0-0 on Betfair @ 39/1

Igor to score 8/1.

Raskolnikov

Bilbao: Iraizoz, Iraola, Ustaritz, San José, Koikili; Susaeta, Gurpegui, Javi Martínez, Iturraspe, Gabilondo e; Igor Martínez.

I am delighted to see Igor Martinez playing, hopefully we get a competitive game as Copa games usually are.

dagdha

The Barca bench does'nt look too shabby.

Raskolnikov

Bilbao actually have a sniff of a chance here.

dagdha

Barca seem to be putting in alot more high balls into the box than usual so far which I did'nt think they would do having Bojan playing upfront as he's not the tallest.

dfx-

redout wrote: »

Barca lineup:
Pinto, Alves, Piqué, Abidal, Maxwell, Mascherano, Xavi, Keita, Iniesta, Pedro, Bojan

Xavi?? :eek:

Raskolnikov

I would really like to see a team use the space that Barca leave in the defence when they press players through their high line.

Raskolnikov

HT 0-0.

Bojan needs to come off, hasn't done a tap upfront.

Raskolnikov

Messi getting ready to come on.

Raskolnikov

Messi on, Barca instantly look a more dangerous outfit.

eZe^

Some beautiful football has been played here, even if it is 0-0.

Raskolnikov

Barca lacking the final killer pass.

Raskolnikov

Iniesta has been poor tonight - when Barcelona don't play well, I feel he just tries to force things too much.

Raskolnikov

That should have been Villa on the end of that.

Raskolnikov

Raskolnikov wrote: »

I have backed 0-0 on Betfair @ 39/1

I feckin' love the Copa del Rey!

gimmick

Fair play!

Thinking the last 0-0 Barca had was against Chelsea?

I like how Pep is playing Abidal at centre half more often. He will provide excellent cover should Puyol or Pique get injured/suspended.

No harm in a 0-0. Least it was not the league.

Raskolnikov

I wouldn't be too worried. Barca didn't look too bothered at all tonight, probably know they'll go through in the away leg. The only thing that would worry me is that David Villa isn't playing to his full capability. I'd like to see him deliver more match winning performances, as opposed to bagging a few goals when Barca already have the lead.

L'prof

Raskolnikov wrote: »

I wouldn't be too worried. Barca didn't look too bothered at all tonight, probably know they'll go through in the away leg. The only thing that would worry me is that David Villa isn't playing to his full capability. I'd like to see him deliver more match winning performances, as opposed to bagging a few goals when Barca already have the lead.

It's pretty tough to stand out amongst Messi, Xavi & Iniesta!

antomorro-sei

Bilbao were quality tonight I thought! There was a couple of times near the end that I thought there was gonna be a serious snatch and grab!

Raskolnikov

Surely we won't have another Spanish 0-0.