Source: Daily_Mail
Barcelona's Champions League final plans see Javier Mascherano at centre-back
ShareFaces from Liverpool and Manchester United's past will come together for Barcelona next weekend in a bid to stop Sir Alex Ferguson lifting a third Champions League trophy. [LNB]Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique are likely to form the centre-back pairing when the La Liga and Premier League champions face off in the biggest game in club football at Wembley on Saturday. [LNB]The former Liverpool midfielder Mascherano has proved an excellent stand-in for Catalan captain Carles Puyol as the Spain international battled against a knee injury for much of the second part of the campaign.[LNB] No way through: Barcelona's Javier Mascherano is likely to play against Manchester United in defence during the Champions League final[LNB]While Puyol is fit again, boss Pep Guardiola is reluctant to play both the World Cup winner and left-back Eric Abidal, who has just returned after undergoing surgery to remove a tumour from his liver two months ago, in same back four.[LNB]Abidal, who missed Barca'a triumphnat 2009 final against United because of suspension, is likely to be among the substitutes with Puyol slotting into the left side of defence.[LNB]A place in the starting XI for the most important match of the season would mean a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for Argentina international Mascherano after moving to Spain from Liverpool in August 2010.[LNB] Familiar foe: Gerard Pique will partner Mascherano against his former club[LNB]For the first half of the campaign Mascherano was almost a permanent substitute, but Puyol's injury gave him his chance in an unfamiliar role alongside Pique who spent four years at Old Trafford before returning to Barcelona in 2008.[LNB]Guardiola believes Mascherano's tactical intelligence and knowledge of the United forwards could be crucial in the Wembley showdown. [LNB]Barca, meanwhile, have completed the signing of left-back and Spain Under 21 international Jose ?ngel from Sporting Gijon.[LNB] EXCLUSIVE: Come back home! Old boys Jose and Hiddink in frame as Carlo is axedGlory, glory, Man United! Fergie's men lift the Premier League trophy at Old Trafford[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Pep Guardiola Places: Barcelona, Liverpool, Spain, Argentina
