La Liga - Team news: Henry back for Barcelona

Reuters - Fri, 30 Oct 09:38:00 2009

All the team news ahead of this weekend's Liga action, with Barcelona's Thierry Henry back from a thigh strain for the trip to Osasuna.

FOOTBALL La Liga Barcelona Thierry Henry - 0

The return of Henry (pictured) means coach Pep Guardiola has a full squad to choose from, with the exception of long-term knee injury absentee Gabriel Milito.

Barca, who are undefeated this term, top the standings with 22 points from eight matches, three ahead of Real.

Osasuna will try to make things hard for Barca on Saturday night but it is very difficult to surprise them, president Patxi Izco said.

"When they are on song there is no team that can stop them," he told Barca TV. "They play at an incredible pace that flummoxes their opponents because they can never get the ball."

Real Madrid defender Pepe has shaken off an ankle problem picked up in last week's 0-0 draw at Sporting Gijon and came through a full training session on Friday.

Midfielder Rafael van der Vaart also trained as normal on Thursday and Friday after only managing gym work on Wednesday as Real prepare for the visit of city rivals Getafe on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo is still out with an ankle problem.

Pepe was banned for 10 matches after attacking two Getafe players during a La Liga match towards the end of last season but said the issue is all in the past.

"I paid for what I did," the Portugal international said in an interview with Friday's As newspaper. "It's up to me now to show what I am on the pitch."

Real midfielder Guti has denied reports in the Spanish media that he had a bust-up with coach Manuel Pellegrini at half-time in Tuesday's shock 4-0 Copa del Rey first leg defeat at third-tier Alcorcon.

"I have an incredible relationship with Pellegrini and he is one of the coaches I have connected with best," Guti, who was replaced at the break by Fernando Gago, said.

"He is 80 per cent of the reason why I am still at Madrid."

Sevilla, three points behind Real in third, may be missing Frederic Kanoute for their match at promoted Xerez on Saturday after the Mali striker, who is struggling with a muscle problem, missed training on Thursday.

Atletico Madrid's players have been working hard with new coach Quique Sanchez Flores to iron out the defensive errors that have led to the club conceding 18 goals already this term, defender Tomas Ujfalusi said.

"The coach has told as that, given the situation we are in, all the players have to defend," the Czech said.

Atletico are one point above the relegation places on seven ahead of their trip to Athletic Bilbao.

Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla is out of Sunday's home match against Tenerife due to a slipped disc and will be sidelined for an unspecified period.

Ernesto Valverde's strugglers side, who were held to a 1-1 Copa first leg draw at third-tier Puertollano on Thursday, are in 18th place with six points and only one win.

Espanyol's Raul Tamudo and his two representatives had a meeting with officials on Thursday to discuss the unsettled striker's possible sale.

The 32-year-old, who has been with the Barcelona-based club his whole career, made it clear he will only leave if he gets a satisfactory offer from another club, Espanyol said.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 6 of 6

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  1. for free kicks Ibra already have that covered up. what­ a thunderbolt!

    From gorka, on Sat 31 Oct 1:11AM
  2. Welcome Back Theirry, Looks like evreybody is back­ except Dani Alves, Com back and get well soon soon­ Dani, we need you for free kicks, u have an amazing­ shots like Roberto Carlos !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From mike.sabbah, on Fri 30 Oct 8:01PM
  3. deverian agarrar salvadorenos en la liga espanola para­ que se pongan mas emocionantes los partidos.

    From chivirico, on Fri 30 Oct 6:46PM
  4. Great News. TiTi is back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From Money Does Not Buy Success, on Fri 30 Oct 4:24PM
  5. frist?

    From JAY, on Fri 30 Oct 2:48PM
  6. first....first time ever....

    From JAY, on Fri 30 Oct 2:47PM
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