UCL Preview: Barcelona Facing Shock Exit

messi

Barcelona, Liverpool and Rangers are all facing the prospect of an early Champions League exit in tonight’s match day 5 games.

Of course, there’s lots of ‘ifs and buts” with each of the three depending on others to do them a favour.

For some, the most surprising name on the list will be Barca.

The reining European champions have just one win from their campaign so far, and host Inter Milan knowing that defeat at the Nou Camp and Rubin Kazan beating Dynamo Kiev in the other game in Group F, they will become the first ever holders to fail to make it through the group stages.

They have several injures worries too. Messi is still in doubt suffering from a groin problem. Yaya Toure – who has swine flu – is definitely out and summer signing, and former Inter striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is also struggling with a hamstring problem.

This could be Inter’s big night and will be the main event in the djmick household.

In Group G Rangers also do not have their fate in their own hands as they play host to Stuttgart.

The Scottish champions must beat Stuttgart at Ibrox and hope that Unirea Urziceni fail to beat Sevilla.

Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool need to beat Group E basement boys Debrecen and hope that already qualified Lyon do them a favour by getting a result against Fiorentina.

A win for Fiorentina against Lyon at the Artemio Franchi will send the Italians through and end Liverpool’s dreams.

Posted on November 24, 2009 | Filed Under Football