Publications
Partners
Wednesday's first knockout round, first-leg match has been overshadowed by a frustrated Samuel Eto'o, who last week criticised coach Frank Rijkaard and fellow striker Ronaldinho.
Then, amid reports he'd lost his authority in the locker room, Rijkaard felt it necessary to reiterate that he wasn't going to leave the club at the end of the season.
Eto'o isn't likely to play against Liverpool as he continues his recovery from four months out with a knee injury, but captain Carles Puyol said the squad was united in its goal to defend its European title and win the Spanish league and Copa del Rey.
"We can stay alive in all the competitions or start losing them," Puyol said. "From now on, every game will be like a final."
Liverpool striker attacks midfielder
While FC Barcelona played Valencia in the Spanish league on Sunday, Liverpool will have had an 11-day break by the time it plays at Camp Nou stadium.
Early elimination from the FA Cup meant Liverpool enjoyed a rest weekend, but it wasn't out of the headlines.
A British tabloid reported on Sunday that striker Craig Bellamy attacked the legs of midfielder John Arne Riise with a golf club during a night out after a training camp in Portugal early on Friday.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez warned players he would "take disciplinary action and fine any of them who are found to have breached club rules during our stay in Portugal".
"Despite reports to the contrary, the spirit amongst the lads is very good, with everyone looking forward to the game against Barcelona," Benitez added.
On Tuesday, Manchester United travels to Lille, PSV Eindhoven hosts Arsenal, Celtic plays AC Milan in Glasgow, and Real Madrid welcomes Bayern Munich.
Nine-time champion Madrid seeks to improve its home form. It's won only five of its 11 league games at Santiago Bernabeu stadium this season, scoring just 12 goals for the worst tally in its history.
That included the 0-0 draw against Real Betis on Saturday in the Spanish league.
"We're suffering at the Bernabeu," Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello said. "When an opponent plays defensively and waits to counterattack, we find it tough."
It could be a good time for Bayern to visit. The defending German champion has dropped back to fourth in the Bundesliga and is in danger of missing out on qualification to Europe's top club competition for the first time in 10 years.
