Four defenders are missing from the squad which prepare to face Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou tonight. The absentees are Milito and Abidal both out with injuries along with Alves and Caceres both suspended for tonight's match. Barca Atletic youngster Alberto Tomás Botía has already trained with the first team and very likely will feature in the substitutre bench of tonight's match. Athletic Bilbao lies in the eleventh spot in the league table and has been without a league victory in February. Both the clubs have booked their places in Copa Del Rey final and both will be looking for a physiological advantage ahead of their Copa clash. For FC Barcelona this is a "Now or Never" match. Having already dropped eight points in lead in last three weeks , Barca can ill afford to have another slip up. Atletico played well against FC barcelona but you cannot expect them to do the same against Real Madrid at Bernebeu. Historically Athletico has always did well against Barca but struggled against Real Madrid.
The good news is the return of Iniesta and his presence should ease the midfield a bit. But the defense is still yet a question. after his heroics at Mallorca, there were cries for Pinto to be chosen ahead of Valdes in this tie. Bu I don't expect that to happen, so Valdes will surely hold on to his position. The defense is tricky. Puyol would be expected to fill in as Right Back in the absence of Alves; Sylvinho will get another go as Left Back and Pique and Marquez should form the Centre Backs. I expect both the full backs to be conservative and remain in their half. Hence all the attacking move should start from the midfield. For this we definitely need the combination of Iniesta and Xavi to start along with Toure. he front trio will most probably remain same as Atletico match. But if I had the option I would have rested Eto and brought in Bojan. It is for Barca's renowned midfield to win this game; they ahve to control the proceeding from the begining. After a couple of not so great performance Messi looked great in Mallorca match. So we should be able to win this with a score line of 2-0. I reapeat it again "Failure is not an Option".