Barca look to bounce back against Celtic

BARCELONA, Spain -- Barcelona's 15-match unbeaten run came to an abrupt end with a 4-2 away defeat against Atletico Madrid on Saturday and they must now regroup for their Champions League home match against Celtic on Tuesday.

Barca have a 3-2 advantage from the first leg and are now fired up after their Primera Liga setback, which leaves them five points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said: I don't think that defeat will affect our next game. We know we didn't play well but now we've got to get ready for the Champions League match."

Rijkaard made sparing us of Argentine winger Lionel Messi, starting him on the bench and only bringing him on for 33 minutes against Atletico as a replacement for Thierry Henry.

"I talked to the medical staff and they suggested some players were in danger of getting a strain," explained Rijkaard,.

Messi is expected to start on Tuesday in place of out-of-touch Henry, with former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho likely to keep his place in the forward line after being one of the few to impress in Madrid.

The other change to the team that went down to Atletico is likely to be in midfield, with Yaha Toure probably replacing Edmilson.

Celtic, the first British team to lift the European Cup, in 1967, have not given up hoping that they can progress to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1980.

"We going to Barcelona with a good feeling, with confidence. We're still alive and I hope we have a good game. Things could change quickly if we get an early goal," said Celtic manager Gordon Strachan.

The players are realistic. "Getting through would be one of the best results in the club's history, considering the opposition we are up against," reflected Celtic midfielder Aiden McGeady on Sunday.

"Barcelona don't have one or two world class players, they have six or seven. To get through would be unbelievable as we are playing against one of the best teams in the world.

"They (Barcelona) stepped up a gear at Celtic Park and it was very tough to get the ball off them. But hopefully it will be different in the Nou Camp and we can get a bit of possession and get up the park," added one of the young stars of Scottish football.

Strachan has several fitness worries.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is still struggling with a sore hamstring and Samaras could start in place of the Dutch striker as a partner to Scott McDonald up front.

Midfielder Scott Brown, who was suspended for the first leg, had further problems with his ankle injury against Hibernian but lasted the course.

Strachan believes Brown could play against Barcelona.

"Brown was fantastic (against Hibernian). At half-time I thought there was no chance of him going on again. But he was determined, he was angry and got stuck in," added Strachan on Sunday. E-mail to a friend