Barcelona should feel lucky

Barcelona should feel lucky with the result drawing last 16 of the Champions League. Compared to the other contestants, the defending champions get a relatively lightweight opponents. Namely, VfB Stuttgart are currently ranked ninth in the Bundesliga. Well, early day, Barcelona's first leg lead with a visit to the stable Stuttgart (RCTI live broadcast at 02.10 GMT).

Indeed, after finishing in third place last season, Stuttgart achievements this season sag. Until the end of November, the team was nicknamed Die roten still entrenched in the relegation zone. However, no guarantee that they could be easily defeated.

In contrast, Barca must be careful. Therefore, conditions are far different from Stuttgart, with three months ago. Pavel et al Progebnyak experienced many improvements. That's evidenced by the success they sped into the middle board.

Stuttgart recovery could not be separated from the role of Christian Gross, the club's brand-new coach. Since taking over the seat of Mark's coaching Babylon Stuttgart in December last, he successfully brought major changes. Of a total of nine action led, Stuttgart recorded a seventh victory.

"We are very excited and impatient against one of the best teams in the world," said Gross told Reuters. "In this phase, there is great prestige and prestige at stake. Barca have a greater pressure to maintain the champions, while we were in fact nothing to lose. It's more profitable we are," he continued.

But, konfidensi is not enough to put a halt to Barca. The storm inflicted injury Catalan club had gradually passed. The two pillars that had absent, Xavi and Dani Alves, was recovered and participate in training sessions to practice Monday (22 / 2) morning. Two names in the squad prepared Barca coach Josep Guardiola to Stuttgart.

However, Barca are still missing striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic who relapsed ankle injury. But, without the presence of the Swedish striker was, Barca can still win big. They membekuk Racing Santander 4-0 (20 / 2).

"Injuries are already problematic Ibrahomovic. I do not know if I can take him or not. We have to wait until the last developments," said Josep Guardiola, Barca coach.

Guardiola did not underestimate the host. Although the two meeting in the Champions League group phase 2007/2008 edition and Barca always win. However, Gross painted record in the last three months indicates that Stuttgart is much better.

But, Barca also have the capital. Victory over Racing strengthen the conviction among penggawa Barca. "The victory over Racing gives us confidence Tuesday welcomed the action tomorrow (early days, Red)," said Andres Iniesta, Barca midfielder, told Soccernet.

"We look efficient, dominant, and able to score a goal since the early minutes. Maybe we still lack a bit of determination, but we focus improve in preparation against Stuttgart," he explained.

As defending champion, continued Iniesta, Barca have a stronger motivation than the other teams. They were determined to be the champion two successive times. "Champions League is our favorite tournament. It encourages us to always record good results," stated the best attacking midfielders Primera Liga season was 2009. (na / ca)

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Estimated Players

VfB Stuttgart (4-4-2): 1-Lehmann (g); 27-Celozzi, 5-Tasci, Delpierre-17, 2-Molinaro; 13-Gebhart, 35-Traesch, 32-Kuzmanovic, 23-Hleb; 18 -Cacau, 29-Pogrebnyak

Coach: Christian Gross

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Barcelona (4-3-3): 1-Valdes (g); 5-Puyol, 4-Marquez, 3-Pique, 19-Maxwell; 16-Busquets, 24-Yaya Toure, 8-Iniesta; 10-Messi, 14 -Henry, 17-Pedro

Coach: Josep Guardiola

Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart

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Head to Head

13/12/07 Barcelona v Stuttgart 3-1

03/10/07 Stuttgart v Barcelona 0-2