FCBARCELONA.CAT

21.02.2007 13:26

Champions back in force

Barça and Liverpool, the two last winners of the Champions League face off at the Camp Nou tonight. Two of the biggest clubs in the continent in a European tie that promises thrills all the way.

After a two and a half month break, the Champions League is back at the Camp Nou (20:45, C ). And the game is one of those that no football fan will want to miss. These are two clubs with long, proud and successful histories, and the last two winners of the prime accolade in continental football.

Thuram is back: The biggest change in the Barça squad is the return of Lilian Thuram , who has not been selected since the Betis game on January 24. He takes the place of Edmílson, who is one of the players being rested, along with Eto'o, Ezquerro and Sylvinho. The Frenchman is most likely to start at centre back alongside Puyol, with Marquez playing in a slightly more advanced role, as has done since the match at the Reyno de Navarra. The other option is for Márquez to join Puyol at the back and for Motta to return to the starting line-up.

Options up front: Without Eto'o, Frank Rijkaard still has a number of options in the attack. On the left, we will once again be seeing Ronaldinho, but the famous trident could feature any of Saviola, Gudjohnsen, Giuly or Messi. The Icelander may have the edge due to his familiarity with English football, where he played for 8 seasons. But there is plenty of speed and skill among the other three options, with Leo Messi in particular demonstrating this last weekend at Valencia, when he made his return to action late in the match.

Two ways of seeing it: Barça and Liverpool typify two very different styles of play. Deco has already mentioned that in his press conference. Benítez's side have a lot in common with Valencia, last weekend's opposition and the last side that the Madrid born coach was in charge of. While Barça like to take control of possession and pass the ball around, Liverpool prefer a more direct route and are happy to let the other side control possession.

Strong solidity: Rafa Benítez will be fielding a very physical starting eleven. He has plenty of height at the back in Hyppia, Carragher and Agger, with players that like to get stuck in featuring in the centre of the park, such as Sissoko, Gerrard and Mascherano, who may make his debut with his new side tonight. Up front there is always the danger of the extraordinarily tall Peter Crouch. But despite his height, the lanky striker is also amazingly skilful with his feet. And there is the Dutchman Kuyt, a top opportunist, fast and powerful, and the other major concern for Victor Valdes in goal this evening.

Previous meetings: The two sides have crossed paths on three occasions in the past, and Barça have never scored at the Camp Nou against the Reds, who have traditionally played a tight defensive game on the away leg. So, fifteen days before the trip to Anfield, the challenge tonight is for Barcelona to finally break this goalscoring duck.