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Who: Racing Santander v FC Barcelona
When: Sunday, 26th August 2007, kick-off 19:00
Where: El Sardinero, Santander
After Racing’s most successful season ever in La Liga there has been a summer of change in Cantabria. The manager, Miguel Angel Portugal, left to rejoin the Real Madrid technical staff and was replaced by former Recreativo manager Marcelino, who lead Recreativo to an excellent 8th place last season, finishing four points above Racing.
Last season’s top scorer and star player, Nikola Zigic, has also departed with several other key players from last season following him through the exit door. Ruben, who formed a solid centre back pairing with Garay, has left along with Scaloni and Balboa has returned to Real Madrid after his loan spell.
With Zigic’s exit Racing have lost their main method of attack with a high proportion of their goals last season coming from the head of the giant Serb or from his flick-ons to the diminutive Munitis. Marcelino may have to look for a new system with which to play and is said to be concerned by the clubs forays into the transfer market thus far.
The additions of Duscher, Jorge Lopez and Jordi Lopez will strengthen the midfield but an adequate replacement for Zigic remains essential. After Racing’s unexpected venture into the top half last season they look like they’ll be back to their usual relegation battle this season.
Barcelona
While Racing have had a difficult time in the transfer market Barcelona have been busy assembling a squad capable of regaining La Liga. With all areas strengthened and none of the big stars departing, Barça appear to have the strongest squad in the league, with a formidable starting eleven backed up by very good reserves.
The additions of Milito and Abidal to the backline coupled with the signing of Yaya Toure for the holding midfield position should make Barcelona a lot more difficult to break down. Rijkaard has an embarrassment of riches in the front five with Iniesta, Xavi, and Deco competing for the two creative midfield slots and Ronaldinho, Eto’o, Messi, Henry and Dos Santos battling it out to make up the front three.
Iniesta seems to be a certain pick as one of the creative midfielders after his excellent performances last season. Dos Santos’ excellent pre-season form will have pushed him into Rijkaard’s thoughts but he’ll have to wait for his dual nationality to be finalised before getting a look in.
Of the ‘fantastic four’ Messi is now arguably the biggest star and could be the player least affected by the rotations. Barça will be looking to get off to a strong start on Sunday in order to banish the memories of last season’s failure and send out a message to their title rivals that this season; they mean business.
Pre-Season
The two sides have had contrasting pre-seasons with Barcelona going unbeaten while Racing have failed to pick up a victory in a 90 minute match.
Racing participated in the Peace Cup in South Korea and only picked up one point from a 0-0 draw with Seongnam and suffered defeats to Bolton and a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Guadalajara.
Barcelona won every game on their usual pre-season Asian tour and also collected the inaugural Franz Beckenbauer Cup after beating Bayern Munich thanks to a wondergoal from Leo Messi.
FORM GUIDE
Racing Santander
Sporting Gijon 1 - 2 Racing 16/08/2007 (friendly)
Alaves 2- 1 Racing 11/08/2007 (friendly)
Racing 0-2 Betis 17/06/2007
Real Sociedad 0-0 Racing 09/06/2007
Racing 2-3 Levante 27/05/2007
FC Barcelona
Bayern 0-1 Barcelona 15/08/2007 (friendly)
Mission Hill XI 0-4 Barcelona 11/08/2007 (friendly)
Gimnastic 1-5 Barcelona 17/06/2007
Barcelona 2-2 Espanyol 09/06/2007
Barcelona 1-0
Getafe 26/05/2007
TEAM NEWS
Racing Santander
Racing have lost several players over the summer, but can at least be thankful for the fact that they are essentially injury-free. Pedro Munitis could start alone up front despite his less than prolific form last season - he was more of a supporting player - but will receive backup courtesy of a trio of attacking midfielders.
Probable Starting XI: Tono; Oriol, Garay, Marcano, Ayoze; Colsa, Duscher; Jorge Lopez, Aganzo, Oscar; Munitis
FC Barcelona
With Puyol (knee), Milito (suspension) and Edmilson (knee) all unavailable, Rijkaard will probably hand the centre back positions to Marquez and Thuram, who looks like being fit after an injury worry. Abidal and Toure should be given competitive debuts while in attack Henry may be on the bench with Ronaldinho, Eto’o and Messi poised to start. Dos Santos is still waiting to receive his Spanish passport so won’t make the squad.
Probable Starting XI: Valdes; Zambrotta, Marquez, Thuram, Abidal; Iniesta, Toure, Xavi; Messi, Eto’o, Ronaldinho.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Racing Santander - Ezequiel Garay - The highest scorer from last season still at the club. Racing will need a towering display from Garay if they are to get anything from the game. The promising Argentinean centre back was a key factor in the Verdiblancos top 10 finish last season and is being watched by many of Europe’s top clubs. As well as keeping goals out Garay may also be Racing’s best chance of scoring with one of his free kicks or penalties.
FC Barcelona – Andres Iniesta – The creative midfielder was one of the positives form an otherwise negative season and looks to have forced himself into the starting XI after being the understudy to Xavi and Deco in previous seasons. Rijkaard will be looking to Iniesta to provide the chances for the plethora of talent up front. With Racing likely to stick plenty of men behind the ball Iniesta could be the man to unlock the defence.
PREDICTION It is difficult to see anything but an away win here with the contrasting fortunes in the transfer market and pre-season. Barça will be hoping to get an early lead to settle any early season nerves; whilst Racing will be thinking the longer they keep it goalless the more chance they have of sneaking something.
Racing Santander 0-2 FC Barcelona
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