Puyol and Milito fit for third Clasico
Reuters - Monday 25 April 2011, 20:17
MADRID - Barcelona defenders Carles
Puyol and Gabriel Milito have recovered from injuries to be
included in the squad to play Real Madrid in a Champions League
semi-final first leg, the Spanish league leaders said on Monday.
Spain international Puyol missed the King's Cup final defeat
to Real last week and Saturday's league victory over Osasuna
with a muscle strain but returns for the third 'Clasico' in the
space of 12 days.
Argentine centre-back Milito, who tweaked a muscle in the
Cup final, also recovered but Brazilian fullback Maxwell missed
out with a groin problem.
The return of the experienced duo gives coach Pep Guardiola
options in defence where he has already lost Eric Abidal and
Adriano Correia to injury.
With striker Bojan Krkic also sidelined, Guardiola called up
youth team players Thiago Alcantara, Sergi Roberto and Martin
Montoya to the squad.
Barca visit the Bernabeu on Wednesday and the second leg is
at the Nou Camp on May 3.