Barcelona vs PSG April 10, 2013


Barcelona vs PSG The World Player of the Year is recovering from a hamstring strain picked up in Paris last week, when he scored in the 2-2 first-leg draw, though Barca proved they could survive without him by thrashing Real Mallorca 5-0 in La Liga on Saturday.

Favourites Barca are chasing a fourth Champions League crown in eight seasons, and leading marksman Messi usually provides the cutting edge on the big stage by setting up and scoring goals.

With La Liga all but in the bag, as Barca lead second-placed Real Madrid by 13 points with eight games left, coach Tito Vilanova may be inclined to risk his prize asset against PSG.
Barcelona vs PSG

Vilanova also has to decide who will partner Gerard Pique in the centre of defence as Javier Mascherano is out with a knee injury and Carles Puyol is a doubt as he recovers from knee surgery.

Inexperienced former youth-teamer Marc Bartra performed well alongside Pique on Saturday but versatile full-back Adriano Correia is close to fitness again and midfielder Alex Song could even be drafted in at the back.

"We'll see what options we have against PSG," Barca's assistant coach Jordi Roura said.

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