Cards marked for all but Márquez
Friday, April 25, 2008
Article summary
FC Barcelona's Rafael Márquez might be suspended for the semi-final second leg but would at least be available for the final while others walk a disciplinary tightrope. can at least be sure of not being banned for the final, but none other semi-final contenders need to mind their manners.
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FC Barcelona's Rafael Márquez might be suspended for the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg but would at least be available for the final while several others will walk a disciplinary tightrope as the last-four ties conclude.
Free to play
A booking in his side's 0-0 draw against Manchester United FC at the Camp Nou means that Mexican defender Márquez misses the second leg at Old Trafford, but while he will be forced to watch nervously as his side battle for a place in the final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on 21 May, at least he is secure in the knowledge that he would be free to play should Barcelona prevail.
Ominous thought
The same cannot be said for his team-mates Lionel Messi, Yaya Touré and Gabriel Milito, or indeed United's Nani, Patrice Evra and Owen Hargreaves, all of whom are within a booking of a one-match suspension. The remaining players involved in the second leg will also be well aware that a red card would guarantee that they miss what is potentially a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Russia.
Confirmed absentee
Whichever team wins through on Tuesday can watch their final rivals squirm the following day at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea captain John Terry is within a booking of a ban along with Liverpool FC trio Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Fábio Aurélio, although the latter is unlikely to play again this season after tearing a groin muscle in the 1-1 first-leg draw at Anfield.
