FCBARCELONA.CAT

08.01.2008 12:29

Deco and Ronaldinho to miss Sevilla

Vanessa Forns

Deco and Ronaldinho have both been omitted from Frank Rijkaard’s squad for Wednesday’s cup match in Sevilla, while Touré’s name is of course also missing.

Frank Rijkaard has left the Portuguese international out of the side because a press statement issued by the club medical services has said he “is having trouble with the middle abductor in his left leg and should not play on Wednesday.” The same announcement stated that the player’s availability for future matches will depend on how things develop.

Ronaldinho still recovering

Ronaldinho is still not over his tendonitis in his left leg, and the same statement had the following to say about the Brazilian’s situation: “he is following a specific programme that involves physiotherapy in the mornings and work on the pitch in the afternoons, but he is still having trouble with his left knee. He will not be able to play tomorrow against Sevilla and his availability for forthcoming matches will depend on how the injury develops”.

This injury has already meant Ronaldinho missing out on last week’s Copa del Rey match with Alcoyano and the league fixture against Mallorca.

Touré Yaya joins Ivory Coast

Also missing will be Touré Yaya, who flew out to the Arab Emirates on Sunday to join his national side’s preparations for the African Nations Cup. Depending on how far the Ivory Coast can go in the tournament in Ghana, and also on whether Barça knock Sevilla out of the cup, the midfielder could miss between five and nine Barcelona matches.

And then on course there are the injured Jorquera, Messi and Oleguer who also miss the trip south, while Sylvinho, Ezquerro and Marc Crosas have been dropped.

The squad

The full squad for the cup match in Seville reads as follows: Valdés, Oier, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Eto’o, Márquez, Henry, Milito, Thuram, Gudjohnsen, Abidal, Edmílson, Zambrotta, Bojan and Giovani.