Sports
Barcelona take on Man City in Champions League
Barcelona, March 17
FC Barcelona's next five
days will ultimately define whether their season is a success or failure
as they start the period by entertaining Manchester City at Camp Nou on
Wednesday night in their Champions League last 16 tie.
Barcelona
must defend a 2-1 first leg lead against the English champions on
Sunday playing at home to Real Madrid in a game which will almost
certainly decide the destination of La Liga, reports Xinhua.
Luis
Enrique's side are almost at full strength and rested from the weekend
as several key players such as Jordi Alba, Javier Mascherano, Dani Alves
and Andres Iniesta were all rested or suspended for the 2-0 win away to
Eibar.
Sergio Busquets in the only player who is likely to miss
out as an ankle injury he suffered a fortnight ago means he is still
touch and go to be fit for the weekend.
Busquets' absence means
the only doubt will be who fills his absence in midfield and Enrique
must decide whether to continue with Rafinha in the middle or put his
faith in Xavi Hernandez or push Mascherano into a more advanced role and
bring either Jeremy Matthieu or Marc Bartra in alongside Gerard Pique
in defence.
Manchester City travel to Camp Nou on the back of a
dreadful display that saw them outfought and defeated 0-1 away to
relegation candidates Burnley at the weekend.
That defeat saw
them slip six points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, who also
have a game in hand and Manuel Pellegrini's side now have a battle on
their hands to finish in second place ahead of Arsenal.
Manchester
City need to score at least twice in Camp Nou to have a chance of going
through and will be grateful for Lionel Messi's late missed penalty
three weeks ago which would have put the tie beyond reach.
Players
such as Kun Aguero, David Silva, Wilfred Bony and Edin Dzeko are
capable of scoring the necessary goals but to have any chance City will
need to control the midfield and defend better against Barcelona's
attacking trio of Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez.
And if Barcelona hit their stride that is a lot easier said than done.