Both teams will clash in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night as they’ve been drawn in the same group for the second year running. The Blaugrana’s injured ace, Lionel Messi, may not feature in the match at the relief of the home side’s players who believe that Messi is Barcelona’s difference-maker.
So besides the fact Rubin Kazan’s hopes may be boosted by Lionel Messi’s possible absence, the Russians also found more confidence from the results they achieved against the Catalans in the UEFA Champions League last season. Barcelona’s coach Pep Guardiola is fully aware of that. He told UEFA.com as he looked ahead to Wednesday night’s European fixture:
“We learned that Rubin are a great team after playing against them last year. They are excellent defensively.
“If we want to beat them, our passing game will have to be very sharp, and we’ll have to take our chances too. Otherwise, it’s possible that we won’t win again.”
Depriving Barcelona from winning is exactly what Rubin Kazan’s captain, Christian Noboa, wants to do in Russia. UEFA.com quoted the player as saying:
“Last year, we surprised Barcelona and the whole world as well. [On Wednesday], we will need to fight very hard, and play at our very best. But why not do it again?”
Don´t miss the Rubin vs Barcelona UEFA Champions League match!
