29/1/11

Hercules vs Barcelona Preview



Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has set his sights on winning more titles with the Catalan club.
Busquets was promoted from Barca B - having played in Spain's third division - and made his debut in Pep Guardiola's second league match in charge, against Racing Santander at the Nou Camp in September 2008.
The defensive midfielder was part of the Barca side that won a treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey titles that season and has since picked up five more titles - including another league crown and a FIFA Club World Cup.
Busquets also starred in the Spain side that lifted the World Cup last summer, making it three memorable years for the 22-year-old son of former Barca goalkeeper Carles Busquets.
The player signed a new contract yesterday to remain at Barca until 2015 and hopes to follow in the footsteps of team-mates Xavi and Carles Puyol, who have racked up over 500 appearances for the club.
"I still have a long way to go to catch them up and I hope they go on for many years to come," he said.
"I could never have imagined everything that has happened since I made my debut, but I hope to go on for many years yet and to keep winning trophies."
Busquets' form in the holding role has restricted the game-time of summer signing Javier Mascherano, who has mainly been used as a substitute in the big games.
Mascherano, though, is happy to play second fiddle to the Catalan.
"I'm not stubborn," the Argentina midfielder said.
"I know I can't start all the games at a club like Barca, but I've played around 50% of the time - I'm a professional and I'll keep working hard."
Having signed up Busquets, Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta on long-term deals, Barca now hope to extend the contracts of full-backs Eric Abidal and Dani Alves.
But, while Abidal has said he is keen to sign an extension, Alves - heavily linked with Manchester City - is stalling on a new deal.
Busquets, though, thinks the Brazilian will end up staying at the Nou Camp.
"Alves is super important for us," he said.
"I'm not one for giving advice, but I think it will be resolved."
Alves has been passed fit for tomorrow's Primera Division clash at Hercules, but captain Puyol misses out, along with Jeffren Suarez and Bojan Krkic.
Barca, who lead fierce rivals Real Madrid by four points at the top of the table after 20 rounds of matches, surprisingly lost 2-0 at home to the Alicante-based side earlier this season, but the Catalans boast a perfect away record in La Liga and have a hugely impressive 55 points from a possible 60 at this stage.
Hercules coach Esteban Vigo is confident his side can produce another upset, however.
"Barcelona are a very hard team to beat and we will need things to go our way, but I am convinced we have a chance," he said.
Olivier Thomert returns, but Abraham Paz is doubtful, while long-term absentee Javier Farinos remains sidelined.
On-loan wing-back Royston Drenthe, meanwhile, looks to be totally recovered from a knee problem he suffered two weeks ago.

Under - 3.10
Over - 1.36

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