FCBARCELONA.CAT

10.02.2007 11:48

An in-form rival

Without making a lot of noise about it, Racing Santander come to the Camp Nou in a buoyant mood and in a comfortable ninth place in the table. The side are under very little pressure at the moment, although injuries are still a problem.

Having taken eight of the last possible twelve points, Racing are in a far more comfortable position than they are used to. In their most recent outfit the Cantabrians have drawn at the Calderón (1-1) after beating the best side of 2007, Getafe, 1-0.

Missing Zigic and Munitis

Racing Santander are a worrying rival precisely because they are enjoying such good form. And that is despite the absences of Nikola Zigic and Pedro Munitis their two star strikers. Coach Miguel Ángel Portugal also has injury concerns with Luis Fernández and David Aganzo.

Getting better all the time

Racing are fine now, but that has not always been the case. Miguel Ángel Portugal's job was on the line after only getting two points in their first five outings, and even offered to resign after drawing with Celta at the Sardinero in October. However, his offer was refused and seventeen games later and a side with a well organised defence and powerful counter attack is safely assured of another season of top flight football.

Dangerous from dead balls

An amazing number of the side from the northern coast's goals have come from set pieces. Even without the huge Zigic they have plenty of danger men in the likes of centre back Ezequiel Garay, who was tremendous last week.