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Barca rediscover cutting edge for Rangers match |
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Tuesday, 06 November 2007 |
 MADRID (Reuters) - Barcelona are counting on home advantage and the return to form of Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry to prise open a Rangers defence that has conceded just three goals in their last 10 European matches.
With the two teams tied on seven points at the top of Group E, a win for either side at the Camp Nou on Wednesday (kickoff 1945 GMT) would take them to the brink of the last 16 with qualification certain if Olympique Lyon lose to Stuttgart.
Barca were held to a 0-0 draw when the two teams met at Ibrox two weeks ago with Rangers' determined defence and an inspired display by keeper Allan McGregor frustrating the Catalans' hopes of victory.
Argentine forward Lionel Messi complained after the game that Rangers had played "anti-football", but Barcelona's lack of pace and intensity in attack was also to blame for their failure to turn their domination into a win.
Barca faced the same problem when they were held to a 1-1 draw against Valladolid in midweek, but a more impressive performance in their 3-0 win against Real Betis on Sunday has sparked hopes that they have rediscovered their cutting edge.
Days after saying he was struggling to adapt to Barca's style of play, Henry scored the opener with a goal that was reminiscent of his Arsenal days, while the smile returned to Ronaldinho's face after a double from two trademark free kicks.
"The players should be congratulated for a playing well and for a good win in front of our own fans," said coach Frank Rijkaard.
"I'm really pleased for Ronaldinho because he is getting better and you can see that in the way the team played. He is the sort of player that lifts the team. His goals and Henry's strike were just what we needed."
HOME RECORD
Barca have only won once in six previous meetings with Scottish opposition when they beat Celtic 3-1 in Glasgow in the Champions League in September 2004 but they have a 100 percent record at home this season and will be confident they can repeat the feat against Rangers on Wednesday.
The Glasgow side have fond memories of the Nou Camp having won the Cup Winners Cup there against Dynamo Moscow in 1972, but their record in Spain is otherwise poor having never won any of their other eight matches on Spanish soil.
Coach Walter Smith takes an injury-free squad to Barcelona following the return of French striker Jean-Claude Darcheville and midfielder Brahim Hemdani in their 2-0 SPL win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
They will, however, miss Kevin Thomson through suspension after the midfielder was booked in the first clash at Ibrox.
The Glasgow club have had mixed fortunes in the SPL this season losing three of their 12 games, but have enjoyed their best results in Europe.
They claimed a 2-1 home victory over VfB Stuttgart in their opening match and a stunning 3-0 away triumph over Olympique Lyon before their gritty draw at home to Barca.
Probable teams:
Barcelona: 1-Victor Valdes; 5-Carles Puyol, 21-Lilian Thuram, 3-Gabriel Milito, 22-Eric Abidal; 6-Xavi, 24-Yaya Toure, 8-Andres Iniesta; 19-Lionel Messi, 14-Thierry Henry, 10-Ronaldino
Rangers: 1-Allan McGregor; 2-Alan Hutton, 3-David Weir, 5-Sasa Papac, 24-Carlos Cuellar; 6-Barry Ferguson, 7-Brahim Hemdani, 27-Lee McCulloch, 10-Nacho Novo; 19-Jean-Claude Darcheville.
Referee: Eric Braanhaar (Netherlands)
(Additional reporting by Kenny MacDonald in Glasgow)
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