© EuroFootball.com
Before the first Champions League round of 16 match against Milan, the team from Catalonia failed to avoid losses.
Striker David Villa and defender Adriano Correia will not be able to help Barca in the match at San Siro stadium on Wednesday. Both footballers stayed in Barcelona due to health issues.
31-year-old David Villa had to visit the hospital twice last week due to kidney stones. Although the player trained with the team on Monday, he later admitted that he will not be able to prepare for the match 100%. After consulting with the coaches, it was decided not to include the striker in the Catalan team's application.
Adriano, who played in the Spanish championship match against Granada over the weekend, did not finish the game and was substituted at the end of the first half. Although doctors did not find any serious injuries during the player's health check-up, it was decided to rest and allow him to recover. It was diagnosed that Adriano slightly strained his Achilles tendon.
For the same reason, defender Xavi Hernandez, who has not played for two weeks, received permission from the team doctors to play at full strength in the eve of the match against Milan and was included in Barca's application. There is also one academy player in the application - backup goalkeeper Oier Olazabal.
Barcelona's application for the match against Milan:
Goalkeepers: Victor Valdes, Jose Manuel Pinto, Oier Olazabal;
Defenders: Carles Puyol, Jordi Alba, Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Marc Bartra, Martin Montoya;
Midfielders: Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano, Alex Song, Thiago Alcantara;
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Pedro Rodriguez, Alexis Sanchez, Cristian Tello.
