mercredi 25 mai 2011

Barcelona penpix for Champions League final

BARCELONA, May 25 (Reuters) - Penpix of Barcelona players ahead of Saturday's Champions League final against Manchester United at London's Wembley stadium:


Goalkeepers
1-VICTOR VALDES, Age 29. One of eight players in the probable starting lineup who came through the Barca youth ranks. A key part of Barca's buildup play and a fine shot stopper, he conceded only 16 goals in 32 league games this season.
31-Ruben Mino, 22. The reserve team player, known for his penalty-saving ability, will be on the bench at Wembley thanks to Jose Manuel Pinto's ban after his sending-off for brawling in the semi-final first leg at Real Madrid.

Defenders
5-CARLES PUYOL, 32. The talismanic, shaggy-haired captain is loved by the fans for his passion and commitment and can play centrally or on either flank. Missed much of the second half of the season with injury but should be back in time for the final.
3-GERARD PIQUE, 24. Another youth system product. Spent three years at Manchester United and one at Real Zaragoza before returning to Barca. Assured performances in central defence have led to him becoming a leader for club and country.
2-DANIEL ALVES, 28. The zippy Brazilian, who missed the 2009 final through suspension, is a dangerous element of Barca's attacks and has forged a lethal partnership with Lionel Messi.
22-ERIC ABIDAL, 31. A question mark still hangs over the France fullback's fitness after surgery on a liver tumour in March. Had a superb season before the operation, is a calm and solid presence in defence and dangerous in attack.
19-MAXWELL, 29. Used sparingly this season but is a useful player to bring on in the latter stages to shore up the defence. The Brazilian is not as mobile as Abidal or Alves and is less dangerous going forward.
21-ADRIANO, 26. A versatile utility player who filled in effectively for Abidal but is a potential weakness United could exploit if he makes the starting 11.

Midfielders
6-XAVI, 31. The creative fulcrum of most of Barca's attacking play. United's ability to disrupt his rhythm and starve him of possession will be central to their chances of success.
8-ANDRES INIESTA, 27. Barca are not quite such a fearsome attacking force when the agile Iniesta is missing. Scored the stunner against Chelsea that put his side in the 2009 final and the winner for Spain in last year's World Cup final.
15-SEYDOU KEITA, 31. A solid performer in central midfield, the athletic Mali international also gets forward to score important goals.
28-SERGIO BUSQUETS, 22. Son of former Barca goalkeeper Carles Busquets, the lanky holding player has a fine touch and adds some grit to Barca's otherwise diminutive midfield. His willingness to go down easily to win free kicks has not won him many friends outside Catalunya.
14-JAVIER MASCHERANO, 26. 'El Jefecito' (Little Chief) took time to adapt at Barca but has grown in stature in the latter part of the campaign when he helped to cover for injuries in midfield and defence. An experienced and combative substitute when required.

Forwards
10-LIONEL MESSI, 23. With an unrivalled 11 goals in the Champions League this season and a total of 52 in all competitions, the World Player of the Year is in irresistible form. When he is not scoring goals he is setting up team mates so restricting his time on the ball is crucial.
7-DAVID VILLA, 29. Settled in quickly at Barca and weighed in with 18 league goals but they have been hard to come by recently. With his tireless running off the left flank, where he lives on the edge of the offside line, he will look to open spaces in United's backline.
20-IBRAHIM AFELLAY, 25. A pacy and tricky winger who has mainly made substitute appearances since joining from PSV Eindhoven in January.
17-PEDRO, 23. Barca's second-highest scorer in Europe with four goals, the winger has struggled with injury. Like Villa, has found goals hard to come by of late but will work tirelessly down the right, making darting runs and harrying defenders.
11-BOJAN KRKIC, 20. His pace and trickery are a useful asset when he comes off the bench late on, but he has played only 60 minutes in Europe this season.

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