Barca would be travelling to Zaragoza with uncertainity over Lionel Messi's participation. Lionel Messi missed the final training today morning and going by Guardiola's pre-match conference Messi may miss the match against Zaragoza. Zaragoza who got promoted this season is currently lying on the 17th position, three points clear of drop zone. Earlier in October, FC Barcelona Thrashed Zaragoza when they visited Camp Nou. Guardiola has announced a 19 man squad which will travel to Zaragoza - Pinto, Alves, Puyol, Piqué, Chygrinskiy, Milito, Maxwell, Márquez, Jeffren, Touré, Keita, Sergio Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, Ibrahimovic, Henry, Pedro and Bojan. Messi has been included in the list but will only participate if he is fully fit. In such a crucial juncture of the season Guardiola will not take risk with his star player. Messi's Absence Could Be a huge Test for Barca
With so much matches to follow, Guardiola might be tempted to rest some of his regular starters. Alves could be one of them, if that happen Puyol should fit in as the right back; Milito and Pique should form then centre of defense and Maxwell as the left back. The midfield will remain unchanged with Iniesta, Busquets and Toure featuring. Keita will hope to get some playing time in the second half. Guardiola has expressed his dipleasure about Ibra's agents recent comments and may once again start him from bench. But with Messi set to miss the match, we would most probably have Ibrahmovic back in front. Henry will get another start after an impressive game against Stuttgart and meanwhile Pedro might start on the right.
The build up for this match has been dominated by Barca's Champions League Quarter Final draw against Arsenal. In such a back drop, there is a high chance that the players could be slightly off the task. Guardiola has to be extremely careful in preventing that. Another problem will be to see how we cope with the absence of Messi. Messi had serious influence in our last two match and this will be atest for the rest of the team. Zaragoza with their defensive play could be a tricky opponent but our current form should see us through. I predict a 3 - 0 victory.