Tuesday 23 April 2013

Bartra up to the task against Bayern


Marc Bartra has been handed a start in defence for Barcelona's Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.

With Carles Puyol and Javier Mascherano ruled out through injury, coach Tito Vilanova has shown supreme confidence in the 22-year-old by choosing him to partner Gerard Pique at the back ahead of Alex Song and Eric Abidal.
Lionel Messi also takes his expected place as the spearhead of the Barca attack after the club declared him fit to play earlier on Tuesday, with Pedro and Alexis Sanchez flanking the Argentine in the front three.
Elsewhere, it is an expected line-up from the Catalans, with Victor Valdes in goal, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets making up the midfield trio, and Dani Alves and Jordi Alba assuming the full-back spots.
Meanwhile, captain Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez all return to Bayern Munich’s XI after being rested for Saturday's 6-1 win over Hannover.
With Mario Mandzukic suspended, Mario Gomez lines up as the lone centre-forward for the home side, with Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller and Franck Ribery playing as an attacking midfield trident behind.
Coach Jupp Heynckes’ back four is as anticipated, with David Alaba, Jerome Boateng and Dante joining Lahm in defence, while Manuel Neuer begins in goal.
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba; Martinez, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Gomez.
Subs: Starke, Van Buyten, Rafinha, Shaqiri, Gustavo, Tymoshchuk, Pizarro.
Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes; Alves, Pique, Bartra, Alba; Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Sanchez.
Subs: Pinto, Montoya, Abidal, Song, Thiago, Cesc, Villa.

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