Barcelona vs Levante | Sat Apr 20th, 2013 | La Liga Matchday 32

Time: 2pm EST/7pm GMT/8pm CET

Line-up I'd like to (but probably won't) see:

Valdes
Alves - Pique - Bartra - Adriano
Thiago - Song - Iniesta
Deulofeu - Alexis - Tello

At the 60th minute mark:
Sub Iniesta out for a canterano
Abidal in for Bartra
Cesc for Alexis

I have a feeling Messi will feature at some point.


----tello------cesc-------pedro--

-------iniesta--------thiago----

----------------song-----------------

alba----batra------pique-----alves

The first team cant go all the way from PSG to Bayern without playing, whatever rest it gives them, rust will take its place. So with that in mind, gotta see a run out for some of the guys like Pique, Alba, Busquets, Iniesta and Vila. Not starting all of them perhaps but you get the point.

My starting 11 vs. Bayern should be:

VV
Alves Pique Bartra Alba
Xavi/Thiago - Busquets - Iniesta

Pedro - Messi - Villa/Tello

I'm doubting between Xavi/Thiago and Villa/Tello. So I would rest most of these guys and play:
VV
Montoya Bartra Abidal Adriano
Thiago - Song - Roberto
Alexis - Cesc - Villa

Sub in Busquets for Bartra, Xavi for Thiago and Tello for Villa. If Abidal can't finish the game, Busquets for Abidal.

The Franchise wrote:The first team cant go all the way from PSG to Bayern without playing, whatever rest it gives them, rust will take its place. So with that in mind, gotta see a run out for some of the guys like Pique, Alba, Busquets, Iniesta and Vila. Not starting all of them perhaps but you get the point.

Whenever we've rested our guys for a long period of time they haven't been rusty, quite the opposite. I'm thinking on the CL finals mainly.

That is true, wasnt rusty. Though, the first 5 minutes or so we did look bad in that CL final if you recall...suppose that could happen any time, rusty or not though.

Just saying conventional wisdom says that long between games is usually not good, but we dont always do things the "done" way so really whatever we do I wont complain too much.

We also rested everyone before Milan and it went well.

Dont think it was for the same length of time? 2 full weeks of not playing.

It's not like they're not training intensely for the CL match. Given that the game is 3 days before the Bayern game and there is traveling involved I say rotate heavily.

I don't think Messi is quite fit yet.

I agree, I don't think not playing the first teamers will hurt.

Although I also don't see much of a problem with giving a couple of them a starting place, too.

I prefer rotation however and giving the young guys a run out.

I agree with Free, as I already said in another thread we should focus on preparing for Bayern. The game days are too close.

The only Bayern-elect players I wouldn't mind seeing start are Pique, Bartra and Villa.

Pique, because he already had a break and playing at CB isn't a lung-busting job. He's young and it could be more valuable for him and Bartra to get another match together to develop their partnership.

Villa because I'd like him to get a goal and a bit of confidence. His influence has dipped again a little bit.

I'd like to see Muniesa selected for this game because I still don't think Abidal should start. If Pique doesn't use Muniesa.

Muniesa is finally healthy and playing for the B team, which makes me happy. That said Levante is no push over, and really should focus on sealing the league as soon as possible.

The guys I would rest would Messi and Xavi. Everyone else I would give some time, even it's not the full game. Cesc I would play full game since I wouldn't play him vs Bayern lol

Agree with Windkick. Put Messi on the bench though if he is ready but if not than save him up for Cup game.

Puyol could return for first leg against Bayern on Tuesday

RealGunner wrote:Puyol could return for first leg against Bayern on Tuesday

High line + Puyol = Bayern's wet dream.

yea, playing Puyol in this situation for his first game back might be a bit much. Then again not sure I trust Barca at Bayern...such a big match.

Brady2Moss....why anyone but Tello 2012? What does that mean?

I prefer if we give Puyol as much rest as possible so that he is fit when Pique gets suspended in CL...
On Pique, if he gets a yellow in the second leg will he be suspended for the final?

Barcelona line-up (official): Valdes - Alves Abidal Adriano Montoya - Thiago Song Iniesta - Tello Cesc Villa

I'd say way too early to have Abidal starting.

danyjr wrote:I'd say way too early to have Abidal starting.

Already eating my words

so far Song and Thiago have been very good while Tello has a very poor game

billy_gr wrote:so far Song and Thiago have been very good while Tello has a very poor game

Thiago? Had a quite poor game so far and far off from his usual swag. Missed place passes, link up play no fluid and is pretty much playing much higher up than what he is suppose to be.

Iniesta has been trying to be the creator with some dangerous through balls into Tello and Montoya as well as his dazzling runs however one too many dribbles for my liking...

Tello has had some poor touches though is getting in behind the defense and looking a more of a threat than Fab or Villa ATM.

Abidal Unbelievable performance!

billy_gr wrote:so far Song and Thiago have been very good while Tello has a very poor game

Pretty much agreeing with this.

Tello has been bad.

Abidal

For the first time this season, Barcelona didn't concede in 3 consecutive Spanish league games.#fcblive

gondov wrote:
Abidal

For the first time this season, Barcelona didn't concede in 3 consecutive Spanish league games.#fcblive

No wonder. Pique hasn't been playing in the last 2 games.