Barcelona prepares for Rubin test
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Barcelona coach Pepe Guardiola hopes to have center forward Zlatan Ibrahimovich available when his side faces Russian side Rubin Kazan in the Camp Nou Stadium on Tuesday night.
Ibrahimovich missed Saturday night's 0-0 draw against Valencia with a knee problem, but should have recovered in time to aid Barcelona's Champions League challenge.
The reigning European Champion has so far taken four points from its two European games this season, drawing 0-0 away to Inter Milan and beating Dynamo Kiev 2-0.
Guardiola knows his side needs a win on Tuesday to avoid having to win in what promise to be two difficult away trips to Russia and Ukraine, but he also has a few selection problems.
Although Ibrahimovich is available and will play, Thierry Henry is sidelined for anther week with a muscle strain.
Indeed questions are being raised as to whether or not the veteran Frenchman is picking and choosing his games to ensure he is in good shape for next summer's World Cup finals.
The Barcelona coach also has a doubt over whether or not to start with Leo Messi. In truth Henry's injury leaves him with few other options, but Messi looked tired against Valencia on Saturdayand against Rubin would be the perfect moment to allow the Argentinean a rest.
Maxwell will probably begin the game at left back as Eric Abidal is able to put his feet up, while Sergio Busquets could also begin in midfield with Toure Yaya dropping back into defense.
One thing certain is that Andres Iniesta will be on the pitch from the start. The Spain international is slowly but surely returning to his best after missing the first month of the season with a thigh injury.
Iniesta will probably play on the left of the Barcelona attack with Ibrahimovich in the middle and either Messi or the youngster Pedro Rodriguez on the right.
Barcelona has not been at its best in recent matches, but with a run of seven games in the next three weeks, Guardiola will no doubt settle for three points whatever the winning margin.
