FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola will field his strongest possible 11 on Friday as his side aims to win the European Supercup and continue its astonishing run of success under his guidance.
Last Sunday saw Barcelona lift the Spanish Supercup with a win over Athletic Club Bilbao and Friday sees the European Champions aim to beat Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk to claim the European Supercup.
It would be the fifth major trophy of Guardiola's time in charge and the Barcelona coach highlighted how important it is to the club.
"When you represent Barcelona, you have the obligation to either win or to win…Anything other than a win would be a fiasco," he told Spanish television station TVE.
Barcelona has unhappy memories of the European Supercup after losing the 2006 final 3-0 to fellow Primera Liga outfit Sevilla and Guardiola is doing his best to ensure there is no repeat performance against the Ukrainians.
Midfielder Andres Iniesta is still putting the final touches to his recovery from a muscle injury, while defender Rafael Marquez is on the road back from a knee injury, but apart from those absentees, Guardiola will field his strongest side.
That means Zlatan Ibrahimovich will lead the attack, supported by Leo Messi and Thierry Henry. Xabi Hernandez, Toure Yaya and Sergio Busquets will play in midfield, while Dani Alves, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique and new signing Maxwell make up the defense ahead of goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
Added spice is added to the game by the fact that it will be the last game for Shakhtar defender Dmytro Chygrynski in his club colors, as everything points to him signing for Barcelona straight afterwards.
(Xinhua News Agency August 28, 2009)
