Neymar back in Barca fold ahead of City test

Andy West 10:59 12/02/2014
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  • Returning star: Neymar could feature in tonight's Copa del Rey semi

    Neymar has been named in Barcelona’s squad for tonight’s Copa del Rey second leg trip to Real Sociedad, which the Catalan club lead 2-0 after last week’s meeting at the Nou Camp.

    Brazilian Neymar has been out of action for more than three weeks after suffering an ankle injury against Getafe in the last 16 round of the Copa, and his potential return comes bang on schedule as he had always been earmarked for an absence of three to four weeks.

    More important than tonight’s test at Sociedad, which Barca will be confident of overcoming with or without Neymar, is the Brazilian’s availability for next week’s Champions League last 16 first leg at Manchester City.

    If he doesn’t play tonight, he will have only one possible game – at home to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Saturday – to prove his fitness before the trip to the Etihad.

    But his involvement in this evening’s cup tie is dependent upon receiving full medical clearance, with Barca’s medical staff and manager Tata Martino anxious to avoid rushing back the forward.

    “We’ll introduce him when we think the time is right,” Martino said.

    “He’s done well in training andwe’ll see how it goes before deciding whether he comes back before or after the City game. We won’t take any risks.”

    As for tonight’s encounter, Martino insisted the tie remains in the balance despite his team’s strong advantage following the first leg.

    Due to the away goals rule, one goal for Barca would leave Sociedad needing four, but Martino claimed: “It’s still an open tie and they will be a lot more attacking than last week. We have to treat the game as though it’s 0-0.”

    Even though his team are in the thick of the closest La Liga title race in years and have next week’s date with City looming large, Martino has taken the unusual step of naming every member of his squad in tonight’s travelling party.

    “We are 90 minutes away from a final,” he said. “It’s right that everybody should be there.” 

    Sociedad boss Jagoba Arrasate has talked up his team’s chances of pulling off a dramatic comeback at their Anoeta home, saying: “We are going to experience another historic night. The players believe we can beat Barcelona.”

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