Carlos Puyol and Javier Mascherano will not be available for Barcelona’s Champions League semi- final first leg at Bayern Munich, assistant coach Jordi Roura said on Friday.
“Puyol won’t be available for the game in Munich and we don’t know yet about the return leg (on May 1), it will depend on how he recovers and the doctor’s decision,” Roura told a news conference.
“Mascherano is coming along well but we still don’t know whether he can play in return leg,” he added.
Carlos Puyol had arthroscopic surgery on the cartilage in his right knee in March and Mascherano damaged ligaments in the same joint in Barca’s 2- 2 quarter- final first leg draw at Paris St Germain on April 2.
The absence of these players have opened up doors for full back Adriano, youth- team product Marc Bartra, new recruit Alex Song and returnee Sergio Busquet to have a first team appearance in the central defense alongside Gerard Pique.
Eric Abidal might also see playing time. The French player returned to action this month after a liver transplant, although he may need more time before he is back to full fitness.
“We have to take it step by step,” Roura said of the Frenchman.
“It is normal that he is keen to play, just like his team mates.
“He has worked extremely hard and he is more ambitious all the time.”
