It’s now official. Both teams have been announced as Barcelona take on Real Madrid for the fourth time in 18 days – this time it’s in the Champions League semi-final, second-leg at Camp Nou.
Barca have had the upper hand in these fixture so far this season. A 5-0 league win at Camp Nou was followed by a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu. The Copa del Rey final ended 1-0 in favour of Madrid, while last week’s first-leg finished 2-0 to Barca.
And the fierce skirmishes are set to continue tonight as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo lead the charge for their respective teams up front. Pep Guardiola makes just one change to his line-up from the first leg as Andres Iniesta returns from injury and replaces Seydou Keita in midfield. Javier Mascherano keeps his spot at centre-back alongside Gerard Pique, while Carles Puyol is retained at left-back. Eric Abidal is among the substitutues.
For Madrid, Arbeloa starts in place of suspended Sergio Ramos, while Lassana Diarra will partner Xabi Alonso as the double pivot following Pepe’s ban. Gonzalo Higuain is reinstated as the lone-striker, and behind him Kaka gets the nod ahead of Mesut Ozil. The Brazilian will be flanked by Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria.
Confirmed line-ups:
BARCELONA
4-3-3
Valdes
Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Puyol
Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta
Pedro, Messi, Villa
SUBS: Oier, Jeffren, Keita, Afellay, Abidal, Fontas, Thiago
REAL MADRID
4-2-3-1
Casillas
Arbeloa, Albiol, Carvalho, Marcelo
Lass, Alonso
Di Maria, Kaka, Ronaldo
Higuain
SUBS: Dudek, Benzema, Granero, Garay, Ozil, Adebayor, Nacho
