Chance for youngsters to shine
With one eye on Saturday’s trip to Madrid, the boss puts his faith in youngsters and rests 13 first team squad members
BATE need a win and FC Viktoria to lose in Milan if they are to take third place in Group H
Seven places still up for grabs
Barça are the competition’s leading scorers with 16 goalsBarça and BATE Borisov play the last game in the group stages of the Champions League at the Camp Nou tonight. The hosts go into the match with top place already secured and face their third home game on the run after wins over Rayo Vallecano (4-0) and Llevant (5-0) ahead of Saturday’s clash against Madrid
The game will be a chance for the team to notch up win number 150 under Guardiola’s stewardship, whilst BATE Borissov, who have been in Catalonia training for the last five days, need a win and for Viktoria to lose in Milan in order to qualify for the Europa League.
Youngsters get their opportunity
Pep Guardiola has called up just six first team players for the game (Pinto, Piqué, Fontàs, Maxwell, Thiago and Pedro). The rest of the squad for the game are made up of B team players, led by Isaac Cuenca and including Oier, Montoya, Bartra, Muniesa, Sergi Gómez, Rafinha, Dos Santos, Deulofeu, Riverola, Sergi Roberto and Kiko Femenía.
Riverola and Femenía have the chance to make their first team debuts, whilst Oier, Montoya, Muniesa, Gómez, Rafinha and Deulofeu could play their first ever game in the Champions League.
Guardiola has rested 13 first choice players for this game: Valdés, Alves, Puyol, Abidal, Mascherano, Keita, Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc, Messi, Alexis and Villa.