Kritik und Lob » was his best opportunity to win a champions

MADRID -- Barcelonas chances of winning the Spanish league this season could be determined by whether Andres Iniesta is fit to play in Saturdays clasico against Real Madrid.Having Iniesta available this weekend at Camp Nou could make the difference between clinching a third straight title or seeing Madrid snap a four-year winless drought.Barcelona has been struggling without the midfielder, and another setback could leave the team nine points behind and in a difficult position to fight for the title.Iniesta has been sidelined since injuring a right-knee ligament on Oct. 22. Doctors said he would be out 6-8 weeks, but the recovery process has been going well and Barcelona coach Luis Enrique expects the midfielder to play.We are waiting for Iniesta to be cleared, Luis Enrique said earlier this week. It should be more or less a formality, he has been practicing with us and is in good condition. We are waiting to confirm, but he should be available.Had it been any other match, the midfielder would likely be rested to avoid aggravating the injury, but Luis Enrique may not be in position to afford himself that luxury this time.All of Barcelonas four losses this season came without Iniesta in the starting lineup -- to Alaves, Celta Vigo, Espanyol and Manchester City. The 32-year-old Iniesta also wasnt with the team in recent league draws against Malaga at home and at Real Sociedad, and couldnt play in the 1-1 draw against third-division club Hercules on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey.Luis Enrique has tried several different alternatives to replace Iniesta, but none fully filled the void left by the Spain midfielder.Among the players used in Iniestas position are Denis Suarez, Rafinha, Andre Gomes, Ivan Rakitic and Arda Turan. Some did well protecting the defense, some succeeded creating scoring opportunities, but none showed the all-around talent that Iniesta brings to the team.Barcelonas recent inability to cope with Iniestas absence could actually work in favor of the midfielder, who has yet to extend his contract with the club and is soon expected to start negotiations.The consecutive draws ahead of the clasico left Barcelona players feeling discouraged and struggling to explain the teams poor performances, but Luis Enrique didnt expect the setbacks to play a role on Saturday.It wont affect us at all, he said. We are now focused on one of the most important matches of this tournament and we have the motivation of facing our main rival.Contrary to Barcelona, Madrid has been thriving recently, winning five games in a row and enjoying a 32-game unbeaten streak. The last time it played at Camp Nou, Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 despite playing the final minutes with 10 men.Its a good match against a great opponent who will certainly make it difficult for us and thats all there is to it, Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. We have to be prepared.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni Discount Air Max Nz . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. Air Max Nz . Marincin has played in two NHL games so far this season with two penalty minutes. The 21-year-old has three goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating in 24 games with the American Hockey Leagues Oklahoma City Barons this season. http://www.discountairmaxnz.com/ . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. Air Max Nz Wholesale . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Air Max Cheap Wholesale . Vaives lawyer Trevor Whiffen claims the former 50-goal man wasnt provided with a copy of the claim beforehand and that he would not have agreed to the allegations made against the NHL had he been asked to review its contents. PHOENIX -- Arizona Diamondbacks ace Zack Greinke is scheduled to come off the 15-day disabled list in time to start Tuesdays game against the Mets in New York.Greinke has been sidelined since July 3 because of a left oblique strain. Hes 10-3 with a 3.62 earned run average in 17 starts this season.Greinke made two rrecent rehab starts for Triple-A Reno and the Arizona League Diamondbacks.dddddddddddd He pitched a total of eight innings, allowed five runs and 13 hits, struck out 10 and walked two. ' ' '