November 22, 2009
The days leading up to the game on Saturday were not good at all for FC Barcelona. Fullback Eric Abidal was diagnosed with swine flu, while Yaya Toure and Rafa Marquez started showing symptoms. None participated in the game on Saturday, which left Pep Guardiola few options in the fullback positions.
Despite the tie this weekend, the good news is that Marquez does not have swine flu, while the bad news is that Toure was diagnosed definitively with the illness.
Despite being cleared of swine flu, Marquez is not certain to start against Inter Milan on Tuesday, nor against Real Madrid on Saturday.
Marquez joins Messi and Ibrahimovic on the list of uncertainties in both games. Messi was injured in this weekend’s game and had to be substituted out while Ibra is still nursing a previously sustained injury. Both Messi and Ibra are doubtful starters against Inter and Real.
This is just lovely. Barcelona absolutely needs a win against Inter Milan to establish a lead in their Champions League group, and a win against Real would give them a two-point lead in La Liga. So of course two fullbacks, a halfback, and the two most valuable strikers are either definitely discarded or seriously doubtful for both games.
If Barcelona can pull out wins for these games with five starters missing, they will have definitely established themselves as one of the strongest teams in the league this season. I will never doubt them, but missing five regular starters and pulling off a win is quite a feat.
