When Mallorca visits Camp Nou later tonight, the 19th placed side will be hoping for a less severe encounter due to the absence of star striker Lionel Messi.
Messi picked up a hamstring injury recently and is fighting hard to find fitness for the match against PSG.
Meanwhile, manger Tito Villanova will be forced to make a decision regarding whom to play in the centre up-front. The possible choices he has have been discussed below:
Cesc Fabregas
Since his move to Spain, the Spaniard’s reputation as an efficient force up front has often caught the limelight. While there was no doubt regarding his creativity in the centre of the park while at Arsenal, at Barcelona his attacking instincts have been seen to flourish further.
Fabregas was even used as an attacking option during the 2010 Worldcup by Spain coach Del Bosque, a role in which he proved to be quite effective when it came to the overall performance of the team. Since his move to Spain, Fabregas has scored 24 goals and provided 30 assists to his fellow team-mates, with nine goals coming this season. If played in the central role, he will be eager to get his goal tally into double figures this season.
David Villa
The 31 year old has mostly seen himself playing on the wings for Barcelona. His 280 goals for various clubs are complimented by the 53 goals that he has managed to score at the international level.
In the absence of Lionel Messi, the Barcelona number seven will be looking to make the most of this opportunity (if given), helping his team get even closer to this season’s La Liga title. If he is not able to score, he will be looking to add on to his four assists of the season in an attempt to be fruitful for his club tonight.
Pedro Rodriguez
The 25 year old winger has been affiliated with the Spanish club from a very young age. Although mostly considered as a force from the wings, Pedro can prove to be more than a handful if he plays in the position of the injured Lionel Messi.
He has an ample amount of experience playing for Spain as well and has featured in major competitions such as the FIFA World Cup. In October 2012, Pedro scored the first professional hattrick of his career, in a 4-0 win against Belarus. This and his 35 goals for the Catalans are a strong enough proof to suggest his attacking capabilities and his desire for putting the ball at the back of the net.
Alexis Sanchez
The number nine from Chile joined Barcelona in 2011 and since then has been a shadow of a player he used to be. However the former Udinese man has 20 goals and 15 assists under his name for the Catalans which indicate his attacking flair and creativity.
One of the most memorable moments for him in a Barcelona shirt was a goal he scored in El Classico in December 2011. The absence of Messi might turn out to be a perfect situation in which to involve the Chilean and make good use of his skills.
Meanwhile, manger Tito Villanova will be forced to make a decision regarding whom to play in the centre up-front. The possible choices he has have been discussed below:
Cesc Fabregas
Since his move to Spain, the Spaniard’s reputation as an efficient force up front has often caught the limelight. While there was no doubt regarding his creativity in the centre of the park while at Arsenal, at Barcelona his attacking instincts have been seen to flourish further.
Fabregas was even used as an attacking option during the 2010 Worldcup by Spain coach Del Bosque, a role in which he proved to be quite effective when it came to the overall performance of the team. Since his move to Spain, Fabregas has scored 24 goals and provided 30 assists to his fellow team-mates, with nine goals coming this season. If played in the central role, he will be eager to get his goal tally into double figures this season.
David Villa
The 31 year old has mostly seen himself playing on the wings for Barcelona. His 280 goals for various clubs are complimented by the 53 goals that he has managed to score at the international level.
In the absence of Lionel Messi, the Barcelona number seven will be looking to make the most of this opportunity (if given), helping his team get even closer to this season’s La Liga title. If he is not able to score, he will be looking to add on to his four assists of the season in an attempt to be fruitful for his club tonight.
Pedro Rodriguez
The 25 year old winger has been affiliated with the Spanish club from a very young age. Although mostly considered as a force from the wings, Pedro can prove to be more than a handful if he plays in the position of the injured Lionel Messi.
He has an ample amount of experience playing for Spain as well and has featured in major competitions such as the FIFA World Cup. In October 2012, Pedro scored the first professional hattrick of his career, in a 4-0 win against Belarus. This and his 35 goals for the Catalans are a strong enough proof to suggest his attacking capabilities and his desire for putting the ball at the back of the net.
Alexis Sanchez
The number nine from Chile joined Barcelona in 2011 and since then has been a shadow of a player he used to be. However the former Udinese man has 20 goals and 15 assists under his name for the Catalans which indicate his attacking flair and creativity.
One of the most memorable moments for him in a Barcelona shirt was a goal he scored in El Classico in December 2011. The absence of Messi might turn out to be a perfect situation in which to involve the Chilean and make good use of his skills.
