Barcelona vs Zaragoza preview - Puyol unlikely to be risked - 7M sport

Barcelona vs Zaragoza preview - Puyol unlikely to be risked



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Posted Saturday, March 05, 2011 by PA

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol is back in training ahead of the Primera Division match at home to Zaragoza and looks set to be fit to face Arsenal in the teams' Champions League last 16 second leg on Tuesday night.

Puyol has been out since the middle of January with a knee injury and missed the 2-1 defeat at the Emirates earlier this month, but his participation in the second match is all the more important because team-mate Gerard Pique is suspended.

The veteran defender trained normally on Thursday, but is unlikely to be risked.

Pique, though, will start against Zaragoza before making way in the European clash.

The former Manchester United defender has been forced to deal with increased media attention of late, due to his well-publicised relationship with Colombian singer Shakira.

Nevertheless, the 24-year-old says his private life has no bearing on his performances on the pitch.

"Performances do not depend on one's private life," he said.

Pique says he is devastated to miss the Arsenal game, but believes his central defensive partner Puyol will be available.

"I am totally gutted to miss it, but I'm an optimist and I think Carles will be ready - he still has a few days ahead to get fit," he said.

"If I had to bet, I would bet that he would be ready for the game against Arsenal."

Barcelona remain seven points clear of Real Madrid following the Primera Division's midweek matches.

Barca beat Valencia 1-0 at Mestalla in a hotly-contested encounter and will be expected to brush aside relegation-threatened Zaragoza.

"There are only 12 matches left, but that means there is a lot to play for still," Pique said.

"If we slip up, Madrid will be right there, so we have to carry on picking up good results."

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes is set to miss out but Jeffren Suarez is available again for Barca and coach Pep Guardiola is expected to take his place on the bench after being released from hospital following a hernia problem.

Zaragoza moved out of the relegation zone following a 2-1 win at home to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

That victory leaves Javier Aguirre's side two points clear of the bottom three with 12 games remaining and the Mexican coach believes his side will secure survival.

"I see the glass half full and the team keen to move away from the bottom and leave our bad run behind," he said.

Striker Ikechukwu Uche scored the winner against Athletic after recently returning from a long spell on the sidelines.

"The feeling I have after scoring again is one I just can't explain," the Nigerian said.

And Uche says Zaragoza will be ready for the match against Barcelona.

"It will be difficult, but we'll go there to compete," he said.

"The victory over Athletic will help us to prepare for the game against the best team in the world."

Keeper Toni Doblas is set to stand in once more for the injured Leo Franco.



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