Samuel Eto’o has recovered from the bang on the head he suffered in training on Friday and is in the squad for Sunday’s game against Mallorca. In addition, Santi Ezquerro makes his first league squad after his pre-season injury.
Eto’o was forced to spend time under observation in hospital after the knock, but finally, Rijkaard can count on him for the team’s opening home league game. The Cameroon striker took part in training on Saturday morning and according to club doctor Luis Til: « there’s another 24 hours till the game and we’ll keep an eye on him, but if there’s no sign of a problem, he’ll be 100% fit for the match ».
The other good news for Rijkaard is the presence in the squad of summer signing Santi Ezquerro, whose pre-season muscle injury has limited him to just one official game with the club, in last week’s friendly against St Etienne. Motta is the man to miss out in the 18 man squad.
Squad list
The full squad for the game is: Valdés, Jorquera, Puyol, Belletti, Márquez, Sylvinho, Oleguer, Gio, Van Bommel, Deco, Xavi, Edmilson, Eto’o, Giuly, Larsson, Ronaldinho, Ezquerro and Iniesta.