Double defensive blow for Barça
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Article summary
FC Barcelona defenders Rafael Márquez and Edmílson are set to miss the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against SL Benfica with hamstring strains.
Article body
Double blow
Barça's Mexican defender Rafael Márquez will be out for a month after tearing a hamstring in the 2-0 victory against Real Sociedad de Fútbol on Saturday. He joins Edmílson on the treatment table, although the Brazilian’s hamstring strain is expected to heal in a fortnight.
Puyol out
Fellow centre-back Carles Puyol is suspended for the quarter-final first leg in Lisbon on 28 March after picking up his latest caution in the previous round against Chelsea FC. The Spanish international will be back for the second leg against Benfica at Camp Nou on 5 April.