Alves and Touré sidelined for Stuttgart trip
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Article summary
FC Barcelona will be missing two key performers against VfB Stuttgart on 23 February after full-back Daniel Alves succumbed to a recurring calf problem and midfielder Yaya Touré suffered a thigh injury.
Article top media content
Article body
FC Barcelona will have to do without injured full-back Daniel Alves for their UEFA Champions League first knockout round trip to VfB Stuttgart on 23 February, while Yaya Touré is also a doubt for the first-leg encounter after sustaining a thigh tear.
Brazilian international Alves was ever-present for Josep Guardiola's side in the group stage, but will be sidelined for three weeks after suffering the recurrence of a right calf muscle tear in the warm-up to Saturday's 2-1 Liga triumph over Getafe CF. Midfielder Touré, meanwhile, will be absent for a fortnight after damaging his left thigh during the Getafe game. The Ivory Coast international lasted only 57 minutes of his 100th appearance for the Blaugrana. Barcelona topped UEFA Champions League Group F and are also five points clear of Real Madrid CF in the Liga.
