Out to beat Rubin this time

Jordi Clos

Barça, who are already qualified as Group D winners for the next round, close off the group stage with a home game against Rubin Kazan this evening (20.45 h, TVE1 i R@dio Barça), a team that they have yet to beat in their previous three meetings.

Tonight’s game may not have any relevance for Barça’s qualification for the next round, but Guardiola’s team always like to challenge themselves and tonight the objective must be to beat for the first time a Rubin Kazan team who have twice held them to a draw and last year beat them at the Nou Camp.

History

The two teams were drawn together in the group phase last year and after a shock 1-2 win at the Nou Camp. Rubin then held Barça to a goalless draw in Kazan, with Coach Berdyev putting in place an impenetrable defensive system in both those games. This season, Barça went first to Kazin and were again held to a draw (1-1), which makes tonight’s game the chance for Guardiola’s team to record their first win against Rubin in four attempts, and in the process finish the group phase unbeaten.

Team news

Guardiola has decided to rest Alves, Xavi, Villa, Pedro and Keita for the game, with Gaby Milito also missing out through injury, and in their place he has brought in five youngsters from the B team: Bartra, Fontàs, Thiago, Jonathan dos Santos and Víctor Vázquez.

Form guide

Barça have hit top form over the last month or so and, discounting the Catalan Cup triangular, have won all of their last seven games, with 19 goals scored in the last four games and none conceded.

Kazan finished the Russian season at the end of November, finishing third, and are now completely focussed on a game they must take something from if they are to move forward in this competition. They are currently one point behind Copenhagen, who play Panathinaikos and must better the Danes’ result tonight if they are to go through.