Barcelona v Rangers - Live!

Pre-match build-up

Usually when there's a big game on Sky, the coverage begins at least an hour - if not several days - before kick-off, so that anyone who is any doubt whatsoever of the enormity of the contest ahead can tune and be convinced that there is nowhere else they need be when the option of sitting slack-jawed in front of their television set watching a thrilling encounter between Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool or Manchester City and Sunderland. It's a measure of the esteem in which Sky are holding tonight's big game that the pre-match void is being filled by a programme about angling. Carpfest 2007, to be exact, featuring a load of blokes in combat trousers and baseball caps trying to catch carp.

The angling equivalent of the Glastonbury Festival - it has a Rigzone and a Baitzone instead of a comedy tent and Lost Vagueness - there are actually spectators present, who have presumably paid money to watch a load of strange men standing on a riverbank with their rods in their hands. It's like a dogging session, but with fish and trophies instead of distasteful huffing and puffing on the back seat of Nissan Micras with steamed-up windows. Here's some more reading material for anyone who's interested. In Carp, that is. Not dogging

Pre-match news and chat

With Lionel Messi having complained at great length about the barefaced cheek of Rangers to defend very well and not concede any goals a fortnight ago, tonight Barcelona get the change to punish them for their impertinence. "Messi used the expression 'anti-football' but it's one I don't like because football has many facets and I absolutely accept any team's right to chose the tactics which best suit them," said Barca diplomat Frank Rijkaard yesterday, in an attempt to pour oil on troubled waters. "Our need is to score early and open the game up, because I view Rangers as difficult, dangerous opponents."

Obviously having seen the masterclass of free-kickery put on by Ronaldinho in Barcelona's match against Real Betis over the weekend, Rangers boss Walter Smith was too busy worrying about giving the Brazilian the opportunity to showcase his dead-ball skills to be concerned about Messi's moaning. "Everyone knows about Barcelona. But an aspect of play that we have to be careful of is not giving away too many free-kicks in and around the box," he said. "That is something we have tried to preach before all the Champions League games. Barcelona don't drop many points at the Camp Nou either in domestic or Champions League football so it's a tough challenge, but if we put on the same performance as we managed at Ibrox then the same result is feasible."

Team news

Gianluca Zambrotta will sit this one out for Barcelona with an ankle injury, but Gabriel Milito returns to the side after being rested against Betis. For Rangers, Kevin Thompson is suspended, but Charlie Adam has recovered from a virus.

The teams

Barcelona: Valdes, Puyol, Marquez, Milito, Abidal, Xavi, Toure Yaya, Iniesta, Messi, Henry, Ronaldinho. Subs: Jorquera,
Gudjohnsen, Sylvinho, Giovanni, Thuram, Oleguer, Bojan.

Rangers: McGregor, Hutton, Cuellar, Weir, Papac, Hemdani, Beasley, Ferguson, Adam, McCulloch, Cousin. Subs: Carroll, Boyd, Novo, Darcheville, Whittaker, Naismith, Faye.

Referee: Eric Braamhaar (Holland)

Kick-off is at 7.45pm