http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-c9879 Alves and Carles Puyol.
This season Barcelona have lost the Champions League and the Spanish La Liga along with their head coach, Josep Guardiola.
Guardiola’s loss is something which cannot be replaced as the Catalan coach helped the side win 13 trophies during his 4-year spell.
However, he still has one more final to play and he will do it when Barcelona are going to face Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey on 25th of May.
Just like most of the season, this final will see a lot of players injured for the Spanish champions.
Barcelona will be facing a lot of problems defensively as three of their first-choice defenders are out injured.
While Eric Abidal is out due to a liver transplant, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carles-Puyol-c8331 picked up a knee injury and went through a surgery which will keep him out of action for at least 6 weeks.
Last but not the least; Daniel Alves will also be out of the game after he injured his collar bone.
With these three first-choice players out, it means Barcelona are going to be vulnerable at the back. However, Xavi Hernandez has clearly mentioned that Martin Montoya and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Pique in
the centre-back role.
The Spanish centre midfielder said:
“We are missing important players,” Xavi said.
“Puyol’s injury is important, Abidal we all know, and also Dani’s.
“We are very sensitive (vulnerable) now that we don’t have our regulars in defence. But the rest are prepared to take part.
“Adriano is playing very well, Martin Montoya is playing at a very high level, and Mascherano and Pique have been taking part too. Let’s see what defence the coach chooses but these guys are ready to compete.”
Barcelona are considered to be the favourites to win the tournament and it will be an emotional for the former Spanish and European champions as they will be lifting a trophy for one last time under Josep Guardiola and it can definitely be a gift for the
departing manager, who has done a lot for the team.
The two Spanish teams will face each other on May 25th.
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