Rubin Kazan v Barcelona - Messi makes Barca squad - 7M sport

Rubin Kazan v Barcelona - Messi makes Barca squad



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Posted Wednesday, September 29, 2010 by PA

Barcelona were stung by Rubin Kazan in the Champions League last year and fear further humiliation if they fail to take the right approach into Wednesday's Group D encounter.

The Russians had their illustrious opponents reeling when they won 2-1 in the Nou Camp last term, and followed that by holding Barcelona 0-0 in Kazan.

Defender Gerard Pique played in both games, and knows Pep Guardiola's team must perform better this time.

"We are favourites on paper but last year we showed that we couldn't win either match," Pique said at this evening's press conference. "It's a test to see how he can perform away from home in Europe. They [Rubin] are championship winners."

Pique warned that failure against the Russian title winners "cannot happen again", and Barcelona's prospects could be improved by the availability of Lionel Messi.

Guardiola offered no assurances about Messi's potential involvement, and the ankle injury he sustained nine days ago remains a concern. However the Argentinian world player of the year travelled in Barcelona's squad and could have a role to play.

"The first thing is to see how Leo's ankle is," said Guardiola. "He will train, we'll talk to him and the doctors. We will consider the state and decide. His health comes first."

While Barcelona began this season's European campaign with a 5-1 thumping of Panathinaikos, Rubin were beaten 1-0 away by FC Copenhagen.

But Guardiola remains on his guard, saying: "If we conceded five of six points to them (last season), it is because they are a good team."

Pique hopes Barcelona can call on star man Messi, saying: "He's in good condition, but it's the manager's decision whether he plays or not."

A third successive Russian league title appears beyond Rubin this year, with rampant Zenit St Petersburg still unbeaten after 20 games and four points clear with two games in hand.

Rubin boss Kurban Berdyev admits it would be a shame for supporters of his club if Messi misses out.

"My first reaction when I learned of the injury was that God forbid something serious has happened to him," Berdyev said. "Players like him provide entertainment for the fans.

"We should praise the high professionalism of club staff if he manages to recover in such a short space of time.

"Depending on whether he plays or not, we will have a different line-up and different strategy.

"To see the best club in the world and Messi on the pitch for two years in a row at Kazan is an honour for everybody, including the supporters."



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