UEFA Champions League preview: Barcelona host FC Kobenhavn
FC Kobenhavn currently sit atop Group D, but FC Barcelona will look to claim top spot in the group when they host the Danes at Camp Nou in Champions League action on Wednesday October 20.
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FC Barcelona have been suffering through several key injuries but came up with possibly their biggest win of the season over the weekend when they beat Valencia 2-1. The victory lifted the Catalans into
a tie for second place in La Liga with Valencia and Villareal, as all three now sit on 16 points from seven matches a single point behind league leaders Real Madrid.
In UEFA, Barca were big winners in matchday one over Panathinaikos, but the Blaugrana were, once again, frustrated by Russian side Rubin Kazan – a team they have not beaten in two years.
FC Kobenhavn have been far and away the best side in the Danish league for the last decade, winning seven times. After 12 matches so far this season they once again currently sit in first place and remain
the only team in Denmark who is still undefeated. They most recently defeated Odense by a score of 5-0. In the Champions League they've got off to a dream start defeating Rubin Kazan 1-0 at home, and Panathinaikos 2-0 in Greece.
Previous meetings
This is the first meeting between FC Barcelona and FC Kobenhavn. Barcelona have never lost to Danish opposition in the past, winning five matches and drawing one. FC Kobenhavn, on the other hand, have
yet to taste victory against Spanish opposition losing three times and earning three draws.
Players to watch
Barcelona have been suffering through several injuries to key players recently. Lionel Messi has returned from an ankle injury he sustained a month ago in a match against Atletico Madrid. Barca midfielder,
Xavi Hernandez, played over the weekend against Valencia after missing Spain's Euro 2012 qualifiers because of tendonitis. He was spectacular assisting on both of Barcelona's goals.
It will be interesting to see how head coach Pep Guardiola prepares for the match. First place in the group is on the line, but Guardiola might not consider Kobenhavn to be a opponent that will worry him
and he might rest some of his big stars. Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic has struggled so far this season but has been eager to be given the opportunity to shine and this could be his best chance.
For Kobenhavn, Senegalese striker Dame N'Doye is the man to watch up front as he has scored in each of Kobenhavn's matches in the Champions League so far. Veteran Jesper Gronkjaer is also a seasoned Danish
international and he should provide Kobenhavn with some pace along the wing.
What to expect
A victory for Kobenhavn would virtually guarantee their progression to the next round so they will be motivated. But a draw away to a side like Barcelona will seem almost just as good, so they might not
play for victory, and hold back offensively, and wait patiently for Barcelona to make a mistake.
Barcelona might well be ailing after putting it all out over the weekend to get a win in a hugely important league fixture, and this match against Kobenhavn might not seem as important. Still, they'll
manage enough for a win. Barcelona will take it 1-0.
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