Monday, 22nd February 2010

Barcelona duo Xavi Hernandez and Dani Alves have been included in the club’s 20-man squad to Germany despite not having been given the all-clear to play. Both are yet to return to full fitness, with the two still needing to train separately from the rest of the group.

Alves has been out since the 6th of February with a calf injury, while Xavi has been nursing a thigh problem. Neither were expected to be fit for the first-leg of the Champions League tie against Stuttgart, but manager Pep Guardiola felt it necessary to bring them along.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who pulled out of Barca’s match at the weekend due to an ankle complaint, is another doubt for the match at the VfB Arena, but Carles Puyol and Yaya Toure are expected to fit. Eric Abidal and Seydou Keita will both still be unavailable.

 

 

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