Barcelona, Sep 03: Barcelona's match against Sevilla kicks off at unusual time due to international fixtures While most soccer players will be tucked up in bed in the early hours of Wednesday (September 3) morning, those from Barcelona and Sevilla will be playing their second match of the Spanish season. The unusual kickoff time of five minutes past midnight local time (2205 GMT Tuesday) has been set by the Catalan club in a bid to ensure all their international players are available for the game. Fans, undeterred by the late kick-off, queued at Barcelona's Nou Camp to buy tickets for the game which will also mark the home league debut of the club's 30 million euro ($32.95 million) signing Ronaldinho. The Brazilian, who misses his country's opening World Cup qualifier against Colombia because of suspension, was outstanding in the club's pre-season fixtures. The 23-year-old also showed sparks of his creative brilliance in Barca's 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on the opening day of the season, but he is still adjusting to his new side and will be hoping for a more decisive performance.


Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard may choose to push him into a more advanced position in the absence of his two regular strikers.


Dutchman Patrick Kluivert is serving the second of a two-match suspension held over from last season, while Javier Saviola has been called up to play for Argentina.


Sevilla will be hoping that their new Brazilian signing Baptista can continue his fine start to the season after he struck a spectacular winner against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.


Bureau Report