Match Preview: FC Barcelona v BATE Borisov

Barcelona (CNA).- A win for the blaugranes against the Belarusians could be enough to take them into the last 16 with two games still to play in Group E of this season’s Champions League. Barça won BATE Borisov in the first round (0-2) and now, according to Luis Enrique, "the goal is to qualify, and do it as first in the group. The groups are competitive, and anything can happen. But as the defending champions we must send a message that we are ready.”. Javier Mascherano will be available even though he is currently one match into a two game domestic ban in La Liga, and Andrés Iniesta, recently recovered from injury, should be in the squad as well. The blaugranes won seven straight matches at Camp Nou in the Champions League, the latest coming in Group E this season in the form of the 2-1 comeback win over Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the end of September. For their part BATE clinched their tenth successive league title just before the defeat against Barça in Borisov on 20 October. Since then they have put together back to back wins, the latest being the 1-0 victory away at Dinamo Brest on Saturday.

Team news

Luis Enrique’s side trained for the final time at the Ciutat Esportiva on Tuesday ahead of the clash with BATE. The Barça boss will be without the injured Leo Messi, Rafinha and Douglas for the visit of their Group E rivals, but Javier Mascherano will be available even though he is currently one match into a two game domestic ban in La Liga. Andrés Iniesta came on in the second half of Saturday’s away win at Getafe in the league to make his comeback from injury and should be in the squad. Thomas Vermaelen should also be in the list which will be named by coach Luis Enrique on the morning of the match with the Belgian keen to make his Champions League debut for the blaugranes.

BATE Borisov come to Camp Nou with former blaugrana Alexander Hleb amongst the travelling party. The 34 year old midfielder missed the 2-0 defeat for his side in Belarus just over two weeks ago due to injury but coach Aleksandr Yermakovich has hinted that Hleb could well figure on Wednesday against his former club. 

Coaches’ viewpoint

Luis Enrique made an appearance in front of the press on Tuesday ahead of his side’s Group E fixture with BATE. The Barça boss is focused on just one objective for side on Wednesday at Camp Nou: "The goal is to qualify, and do it as first in the group. The groups are competitive, and anything can happen. But as the defending champions we must send a message that we are ready."

His counterpart Aleksandr Yermakovich also spoke to the press on Tuesday in Barcelona. The BATE boss did not hide the task facing his team and admitted to be “aware that we are coming up against the best club in the world, because they have top players and they all have quality.” 

Form guide

Barça have won seven straight matches at Camp Nou in the Champions League, the latest coming in Group E this season in the form of the 2-1 comeback win over Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the end of September. The blaugranes’ 2-0 away win at Getafe in the league at the weekend was their third in a row in the domestic competition and leaves them joint top of the table with rivals Real Madrid on 24 points after 10 matches.

For their part BATE clinched their tenth successive league title just before the defeat against Barça in Borisov on 20 October. Since then they have put together back to back wins, the latest being the 1-0 victory away at Dinamo Brest on Saturday.

History

The in form Sergi Roberto has fond memories of meeting BATE Borisov as it was in the only previous meeting at Camp Nou between the side that he scored his first ever goal in official competition for the first team. That strike came in a 4-0 win for the blaugranes in the group stages of the Champions League back in December 2011. Barça have lost just once in their last 34 matches at home in the competition, winning 27 of those games in that time.