Racing Santander's visit to Camp Nou has become a test for this FC Barcelona side coping with a series of injury problem. FC Barcelona's success in 2009 was helped by the fact that none of our major players had long injury lay off. But this season tends to be different. The list of injured or just recoverd from injury is stunning. Out of FC Barcelona defenders currently Alves and Abidal are injured meanwhile Chygrynskiy has just returned from injury. In the Barca Midfield we will be missing Xavi; Toure has returned back to training. The match against Racing Santender brings some personal milestone achievement for Guardiola. This will be Guardiola's 100th official game in charge as Coach of FC Barcelona. In the 99 matches he has manage to win 70, draw 19 and had ten defeats; and don't forget the six trophies he won us. That's one hell of a resume. Barca's opponent Racing is lying in the 14th position and in usual scenario should have been an easy opponent. Earlier this season when the two teams met at El Sardinero stadium, Barca emerged comfortable victors romping home 1-4. But FC Barcelona's injury cricisi may tempt Racing to come out blazing and look for a rare win at Campo Nou.FC Barcelona will be Looking to get back to winning ways
FC Barcelona's unbeaten run was halted last week at Vicente Calederon. That night we had problems at the defense and paid for that. Tomorrow we might have some problems in midfield with the absence of Xavi. But still I believe we can cope with this Racing side. We don't want to concede any more ground to Real Madrid, who will be hosting Villareal on Sunday. Pedro Munitis, Colsa and Tchite all are suspended for Santander for this match. Valdes should hold his position as goal keeper once again. but it does raise some question whether Pinto will get any playing time al all. Anyway he seems to be happy. The defense should see Puyol playing the Right Back role and Maxwell playing the left back. I would seriously prefer the other way. Pique should return from suspension and partner Milito at the centre of defense. The midfield is the subject of everyones interest recently. Toure's return back from injury is a good news but it would be a disaster to rush him into starting eleven. So my pick for midfield will be Jonathan Dos Santos on right, Busquets as DM and Iniesta on the left. The front line should return back to its normal form with Messi, Ibra and Henry. This match should be a good test to see how we cope with the loss of our midfield General. It should also give a look into guys who may succeed Xavi in future. I predict a tough 2-0 victory.