Lionel Messi will have to pass a fitness test on his ankle to play for Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday at Rubin Kazan, which stunned the Spanish champions at the Camp Nou in last season's tournament.

Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova said the Argentina forward has not yet received the all-clear to play against an opponent the Spanish club has spent a lot of time studying and believes is less likely to cause a similar shock result.

Messi sprained the internal and external ligaments of his right ankle in the Sept. 20 match against Atletico Madrid after being fouled by defender Tomas Ujfalusi. He hasn't played since and wasn't originally expected to be fit to play Rubin.

Before flying to Russia, Messi trained with the squad for first time since his MRI scan. But he has been advised to be cautious as any aggravation could lead to serious consequences, Vilanova said.

"Leo always wants to play and this injury is progressing well each day," Vilanova said. "It is important for him to recover well. With injuries like this, sometimes if you don't recover properly there can be long-term problems."

Last season, Rubin midfielder Alexander Ryazantsev's long-range goal gave the Russian club a 1-0 win in Barcelona. Vilanova said his team had been thrown by Rubin's tactics.

"They played in a way that didn't make it at all easy for us," Vilanova said. "We have looked back at the games they played against us."

Rubin coach Kurban Berdyev is likely to have a full-strength squad with Spanish defender Cesar Navas returning from suspension.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has been instructing his midfield to provide increased support in attack. All three goals in the team's 3-1 win at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday came from midfielders Seydou Keita, Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets.

But whatever the result, Vilanova says Barcelona won't be overly concerned.

"It is important but not that much — it's only the second game in the group," he said

Barca wud prevail.

Barca all the way, draw is definitely a fair result, but we need to prove them wrong that they are beatable.

Forza Barca

They will pay for the evil they have committed against the Almighty Barca.
we will grab our three points.
up Barca.

There is no time for underestimation. The RUbin side have proven to be a strong
and tactical side against Barca's creativity and attacking prowess. Although we
are miles better.

We just have to UP our game, and be more disciplined.

FORZA BARCA!!

Barca should win this one.

Barca are bad on their own then a Barca motivated by vengeance. . . OMG
Besides, Rubin are not as good as they were last year. They sold their tormentor in chief; Dominguez, to Valencia. Barca's winning streak continues

Barca Line up

Victor, Pique,Puyol,Alves,Busquet,Mascherano,Xavi,Iniesta,Villa,Maxwell,Pedro
Sub
Messi,Abidal,Kieta,Abidal,Millito,Pinto,Thiago Bojan.

i don happen

RK are settling for counter attack lol

pedrooooooooooooo oh hit the Bar

why maschrano and busquet at the same time

see tapping

penalty for Kazan

RUbin Goallllllllllllllllllllllll

Valdes don Bleep up

DV is our new yakubu

Make i laugh in kazan language already? Next time when you hear rubin make your get humility ooo.

We need Kieta for Busquet

Pharoh:

Make i laugh in kazan language already? Next time when you hear rubin make your get humility ooo.

is still so early to laugh in kazannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

But its not too early to laugh because of history na . . first leg ends like this and the second leg will be a draw.

But i know for sure . . . barca can never beat this rubin kazan without the magical messi.

Barca is playing ineffective football

You can beat rubin on a counter but barca will prefer to still touch the ball around because they obviously do not have a plan B.

messi to enter

One will be hard pressed to find a more predictable team in europe than barca

Referee gives Barca a plan B.

Iniesta wins a penalty for barca

Villa!!!!! lucky goal.

Goalllllllllllllllll Villa

mystikal:

Referee gives Barca a plan B.

jump and pass

Obafemi Martins on for Kazan!

martins enters d pitch

bxg:

martins enters d pitch

This game is boring as ****. . . . make ref blow whistle sharp sharp jare