FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.02.2010 11:26

Up to ten players unavailable

Jesús Carrillo

It’s not just FC Barcelona that is plagued by a rash of injuries and suspensions. Racing Santander will come to the Camp Nou next weekend without Munitis, Colsa, Tchité, Crespo and former Barça player Luis García.

As of Wednesday Racing manager Miguel Ángel Portugal knows he’ll be without five of his key players for next Saturday’s match. As for Barça, Guardiola is unlikely to be able to call on Alves, Xavi, Keita, Abidal and Touré Yayá, though the Ivory Coast international may just make it in time.

Injuries and suspensions

In the case of Barça all the absent players are recovering from injury while for Racing Gonzalo Colsa and Pedro Munitis received their fifth yellow card in last week’s match and are suspended. Mohamed Tchité is also suspended after being sent off. However, both Crespo –a defender on loan from Sevilla– and Luis García, are unavailable due to injury.

Ten probable first choices

So both Josep Guardiola and Miguel Ángel Portugal will be without five probable first choices though Guardiola will welcome back Piqué and Marquez after suspension. The Racing coach can count on Henrique – on loan from Barça – who missed the game against Malaga as he has recently become a father.