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“Injury-troubled” Barca seek Copa del Rey final

Comment: 0 February 8th, 2012 by: admin

BARCELONA are stepping onto the pitch in their Copa del Rey assignment against Valencia on Wednesday with their real form shrouded in secrecy.

They may be in full strength or not but still, the Catalans are favoured to finish off the visitors at Camp Nou.

Without revealing the real state of his side, Barca boss Pep Guardiola only hinted that the second-leg fixture would be a “game for men.”

The reigning world and European champions gained edge in the tie after their 1-1 draw away in the first leg, with Carles Puyol’s goal proving as their saviour against a side who has always been giving them tough time.

When asked about his possible game selection during a news conference, Guardiola said: “We play 11 against 11, there will be seven substitutes on the bench, and we are doing well.”

Guardiola predicts the game to be demanding. “It will be a game for men and we need everyone to be at 100 percent.

The Catalans snapped a string of three consecutive draws and rare futile run for main man and top scorer Lionel Messi when they beat Real Sociedad 2-1 in the La Liga last weekend.

In that game, a black cat darted across the pitch, a sign many Barca fans believed brought good luck for the team and Messi himself.

Messi netted a goal in that match to somehow erase the stigma of his missed penalty against Valencia in the first leg of the semifinals.

Andres Iniesta and Pedro could see action as both returned to training with the rest of the team last Monday.

Playmaker Xavi may also be playing after being rested in their last two outings.

Guardiola, however, said midfielder Sergio Busquets would be a doubtful starter after gashing his knee in the Sociedad game. Other injured Barca players are David Villa, Alexis Sanchez and Ibrahim Afellay.

Barca, who lost to Real Madrid in the Copa final last year, are aiming for their third final appearance in four years, and a possible 14^th crown since Guardiola took charge in 2008.

Commenting on the Catalans’ “injury woes”, Valencia coach Unai Emery said “It’s a good strategy not to let on anything to your rival. If we knew, would it be an advantage?”

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