Barcelona v Sporting preview

Guardiola: Wants opening victory

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Pep Guardiola begins his quest to add to his European Cup winners' medal haul as Barcelona host Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Guardiola lifted the European Cup as a Barca player in 1992 and, after taking up the Camp Nou hot-seat in the summer, he is keen to do the same as a manager.

Barca, who defeated Wisla Krakow in the third qualifying round, welcome Group C rivals Sporting to Spain, but their visitors will also be in a determined frame of mind.

With Basel and Shakhtar Donetsk as their other group rivals, Portuguese runners-up Sporting will fancy their chances and could be eyeing an opening three points.

Barca are struggling for goals and were held to a 1-1 domestic draw with Racing Santander on Saturday.

Hleb absence

But Rafael Marquez, Thierry Henry and Sylvinho all missed the meeting with Racing and are expected to return.

Midfielder Alexander Hleb, however, is absent after spraining his ankle and the former Arsenal man is facing up to four weeks on the sidelines.

Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, who started on the bench at the weekend, will be named in Guardiola's starting line-up.

Sporting boss Paulo Bento has his players well rested for their clash with last season's semi-finalists as the international break has seen the club out of action since 1st September.

Striker Yannick Djalo could feature after a muscle injury, while former Barcelona and Middlesbrough midfielder Fabio Rochemback returns to one of his old clubs.