Marc Bartra, Alex Song, Adriano and Cesc Fabregas are all expected to start for Barcelona tonight against Bayern Munich.
The Catalans go into tonight’s Champions League semi-final second leg looking to turn around a 4-0 first leg defeat without a number of defensive options.
On from Carles Puyol’s continued recovery from surgery and Jordi Alba’s suspension, Tito Vilanova has lost Sergio Busquets to a groin injury, Eric Abidal to a calf injury and seen Javier Mascherano’s last ditch attempt to return early from his knee injury dismissed.
Subsequently, changes are anticipated for tonight’s match, with Song expected to deputise in midfield for Busquets and Adriano to come in for Alba.
Youngster Bartra will once more start alongside Gerard Pique in defence, whilst Fabregas will be brought into midfield, to push Andres Iniesta into attack alongside Pedro Rodriguez and Lionel Messi.
Bayern, meanwhile, can welcome Mario Mandzukic back from suspension. His return in place of Mario Gomez is speculated to be the Germans’ only change to the XI that started the first leg.
The winners of this semi-final will face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, after their 4-3 aggregate elimination of Real Madrid.
Probable line-ups
Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Bartra, Adriano; Xavi, Song, Fabregas; Pedro, Messi, Iniesta
Bayern: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba; Javi Martinez, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Mandzukic
