© EuroFootball.com
London's "Arsenal" will travel to Barcelona on Tuesday, where they will try to cause a small sensation and eliminate one of the Champions League favorites, the Barcelona club, in the round of 16.
The English team has reason to be optimistic - they won the first leg at home 2-1. Although Barcelona took the lead after a goal from David Villa, in the second half the "Emirates" stadium triumphed after accurate strikes from Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin.
It is expected that van Persie will recover from his injury and be able to take the field, although coach Arsene Wenger doubts if he will allow him to play from the first minute. In addition, the team will likely also have their main attackers Cesc Fabregas and young Jack Wilshere. However, players like Alex Song, Theo Walcott, and Thomas Vermaelen will also play significant roles.
Barcelona also did not escape significant losses - coach Pep Guardiola will have to look for new central defenders, as the main duo - Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol - will be forced to watch the match from the sidelines due to suspension and injury. It is predicted that the heart of the defense will be Eric Abidal and Sergio Busquets, with Javier Mascherano taking Busquets' place in the midfield.
"We will be well prepared for this match," said Barcelona's assistant coach Tito Vilanova, who participated in the press conference in place of the main strategist Guardiola, who is suffering from back problems. "In the last match, we gave some players a chance to relax and improved their physical condition. They will all be able to play without major issues."
Meanwhile, Arsenal coach Wenger was pleased that Fabregas would be ready to help the team: "Cesc is a true winner, eager to win this match. He is a real leader of the team.
"We all know how much Cesc loves this club, as well as Barcelona, because it is his hometown. You cannot ask a Londoner not to love London."
He added that trying to maintain the fragile advantage they gained in England would be a mistake: "We are not safe enough to just defend. We cannot go to Barcelona seeking a draw and not trying to score. Besides, that's not typical of our club.
"We will try to attack well and defend reliably. We know that we cannot completely give up attacking. It will be important to find the right balance of these things."
Predicted starting lineups:
Barcelona: Valdes; Dani Alves, S. Busquets, E. Abidal, Maxwell; Xavi, Mascherano, Iniesta; Villa, Messi, Pedro.
Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy; Diaby, Wilshere, Nasri, Fabregas, Arshavin; Bendtner.
