Saturday, March 20, 2010

Barcelona v Stuttgart preview

Barcelona v Stuttgart preview

European champions Barcelona host Stuttgart at Camp Nou aware that a goalless draw would be enough to book a quarter-final place.

A 1-1 stalemate in the first leg in Germany has set up the tie intriguingly, with Stuttgart unbeaten on the road in this season's competition, although they have never previously won in Spain.

The continent's most stylish side are unlikely to sit back though as coach Pep Guardiola has always encouraged Barcelona's natural attacking inclination.

And when you have Lionel Messi in the type of form that saw him grab a virtuoso hat-trick at the weekend against Valencia, it is not difficult to see why.

While scoring goals is never a problem for Barca, at the back they will have to make do without captain and defensive talisman Carles Puyol.

The influential centre-half has been missing of late with a back complaint and will likely see his place taken by Gabriel Milito, although Rafael Marquez is also pushing for a start.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return to Barca's attack following a domestic suspension, while Thierry Henry - who starred off the substitutes' bench at the weekend, could take the place of Bojan Krkic.

Eric Abidal remains an absentee with a groin strain, meaning Maxwell will continue to deputise at left-back.

A hamstring injury could prohibit Seydou Keita's involvement from the start but in Sergi Busquets the Catalan giants have unearthed yet another blossoming talent.

Of greater concern to Guardiola is the news playmaker Xavi is suffering from a muscle problem in his right leg and is likely to be out of action for the next 15 days.

Stuttgart news

Stuttgart go into the game fully refreshed having last played on Friday night, although a defeat at Schalke is hardly ideal preparation for such an important game.

Christian Gross, who has impressed since taking the helm in losing just two games, can welcome French centre-half Mathieu Delpierre back into the fold following suspension.

Germany Under 21 defender Stefano Celozzi has returned to full training following illness, but Gross is unlikely to make wholesale changes.

Martin Lanig, Arthur Boka and Sven Ulreich remain long-term absentees but otherwise Gross has no other injuries or suspensions to contend with.

a.top_betting_link_1 {background-image: url('/Images/skysports/fixturecal/icons/fix-bet.gif');background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:0% 50%;padding-left:18px;}Barcelona v Stuttgart 1st Goalscorer: Messi, L. 3/1

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