Barcelona's reign as Champions Cup holder could be over as early as Tuesday if the Spanish club loses at home to Inter Milan and group rival Rubin Kazan beats Dynamo Kiev.
Barca sputtered to a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, allowing Real Madrid to take a one-point lead in the Spanish league. And in Group F, they are level on five points with Rubin Kazan and one point behind leaders Inter. Barcelona have a trip to Ukraine to meet Dinamo Kiev in their last group match next month.
However, there is a great sense of urgency for a win tomorrow, for a defeat could mean Barcelona being relegated if group rival Rubin take the lead against Kiev. The fact that Lionel Messi was one of six players who missed training on Sunday, adds to coach Pep Guardiola's woes as he faces up to a tough game against the Italian champion.
An attack of swine flu has already ruled out defender Eric Abidal and midfielder Yaya Toure, and Rafael Marquez is awaiting tests to see if he has become the third victim.
Strikers Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have leg injuries and defender Gerard Pique could only do light training in the gym.
The Italian giants also know the implications of the game. While a defeat would complicate their hopes of progressing, a win could give them the upper hand.
Unlike Barca, Inter face an easier encounter in their last group game as they take on Rubin Kazan at the San Siro.
Inter travel to Spain in buoyant mood after Saturday's 3-1 win at Bologna. That result allowed the Nerazzurri to go five points clear at the top of the Serie A standings.
The Nerazzurri will welcome back Wesley Sneijder, who has recovered from an ankle injury. But they will be without injured Davide Santon.
