FCBARCELONA.CAT

20.12.2006 18:09

Olmo and Crosas in the squad

Jésus Olmo and Marc Crosas have been included in the FC Barcelona squad to face Atlético de Madrid on Thuesday, while four first-team regulars are missing for the final match before the festive mid-season break in the league.

The two B-team players have been drafted in after Gianluca Zambrotta added his name to the injury list, that already includes Leo Messi and Samuel Eto'o, while Sylvinho is suspended and Rafael Márquez, Edmílson and Gio Van Bronckhorst are all rested. Olmo and Crosas may well see some action, with the former perhaps filling at left-back in the absence of Sylvinho and Gio.

Long journey

After the long journey to Japan, the Barça players have had only four days to recuperate and prepare for the final match of the year. The trip to the Far East is one reason why coach Frank Rijkaard has chosen to rest three players, while Zambrotta picked up his muscle injury playing in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup against Internacional last weekend.

Different options

The defence is missing several players as Gio and Sylvinho are out along with Zambrotta, Márquez and Edmílson. Rijkaard looks set to shuffle his pack and play either Juliano Belletti or Oleguer at right-back, while Lilian Thuram could step into the centre of the back four, alongside Carles Puyol and Olmo could feature on the left.

Saviola returns

Javier Saviola is also back in the squad after recovering from injury. The Argentina international made his last appearance for the club in mid-November in the home victory over Real Zaragoza.