Barcelona looks to ignite offense against Lyon

• by Soccer America , Sep 19, 2007

[MARQUEE MATCHUP] Barcelona hopes to ignite its offense Wednesday when it opens play in the UEFA Champions League against six-time French champion at Camp Nou Stadium.

Barcelona has beaten Athletic Bilbao, 3-1, at home -- only one of the three goals came from the run of play -- and tied 0-0 twice on the road in three La Liga games.

"This isn't the image that I want for Barcelona and it isn't the one we should be giving," Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said after Sunday's 0-0 tie at Osasuna. "We still haven't seen the Barcelona we are all used to seeing."

Thierry Henry, who has yet to score since arriving at Barcelona, should join Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho in the Barcelona attack.

OL has had one of the best defenses in Europe in recent years, but outside back Eric Abidal was sold to Barcelona in the offseason, and France goalkeeper Gregory Coupet and Brazil defender Cris are both sidelined with injuries.

PROBABLE LINEUPS:
Barcelona -- 1-Victor Valdes; 11-Gianluca Zambrotta, 12-Gabriel Milito, 21-Lilian Thuram, 22-Eric Abidal; 24-Yaya Toure, 6-Xavi, 20-Deco; 14-Thierry Henry, 10-Ronaldinho, 19-Lionel Messi.
Lyon -- 30-Remy Vercoutre; 11-Fabio Grosso, 29-Sebastien Squillaci, 22-Cleber Anderson, 2-Francois Clerc; 28-Jeremy Toulalan, 6-Kim Kallstrom, 5-Mathieu Bodmer, 8-Juninho; 14-Sidney Govou, 10-Karim Benzema.
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).