TEAM NEWS: Barca - Granada

TEAM NEWS: Puyol and Alexis return for Barca as Messi seeks all-time Barcelona goals record

Mar 20, 2012 7:35:00 PM

Guardiola names a strong bench as his side look to cut Madrid's lead at the top to just five points

Carles Puyol and Alexis Sanchez return to Barcelona's starting line-up after being named as substitutes during their 2-0 win over Sevilla at the weekend.

Pep Guardiola has named a strong bench for this tie should things not go to plan, with Cesc Fabregas, Pedro and Andres Iniesta all named among the substitutes. Thiago replaces Iniesta in midfield while Isaac Cuenca starts in a front three alongside Lionel Messi and Alexis.

Granada are able to play Carlos Martins despite the midfielder being dismissed in the win over Sporting Gijon at the weekend, as the committee that deals with suspensions has not had the chance to meet to decide the length of his ban.

Elsewhere in the side Fran Rico has managed to shrug off a knock to take his place in midfield, but the match comes too soon for the likes of Pape Diakhate and Hassan Yebda. Henrique is available after serving a one-match ban but is named on the bench for the away side.

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés; Alves, Piqué, Puyol, Adriano; Keita, Thiago, Xavi; Cuenca, Messi, Alexis

Subs: Pinto, Pedro, Cesc, Tello, Busquets, Mascherano, Iniesta, Muniesa.

Granada (4-2-3-1): César; Nyom, Mainz, Borja, Siqueira; Rico, Moisés; Benitez, Jara, Martins; Ighalo

Subs: Juan, Henrique, Geijo, Abel, Lopez, Uche

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