Barcelona inspired by Basel excursion

Depending on which history books you read, FC Barcelona could be tracing their very roots when they look to seal their third consecutive win in UEFA Champions League Group C at FC Basel 1893 on Wednesday.

Basel links
Legend has it that the Catalan club's founder, Joan Gamper, drew inspiration from Basel's colours and logo when forging Barcelona's identity in 1899, the Swiss immigrant having previously served the club as a player. The evidence may be circumstantial, but the visitors have undoubtedly used Basel as a springboard in more recent times. Barça lifted their first official European trophy at St. Jakob-Park when they beat Fortuna Düsseldorf in the 1978/79 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final, and that success is said to have raised the club to a whole new level. "We're happy to be here again," said coach Josep Guardiola. "For the people of Barcelona, this is a city and a stadium with a lot of good memories."

Squad rotation
The 37-year-old is passionate about Barcelona's past, but he is far more interested in their future. Critics have highlighted his constant squad rotations since taking over this summer, yet Guardiola is unlikely to start changing a policy that has yielded seven straight wins in all competitions – including UEFA Champions League victories against Sporting Clube de Portugal and FC Shakhtar Donetsk. "You won't see fixed starting elevens anymore," he said. "They're history." Consider that almost a pledge, then, that Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernández and Carles Puyol will be restored to the first team following Sunday's 1-0 Spanish Liga win at Athletic Club Bilbao. Meanwhile, centre-back Rafael Márquez appears fit despite collecting a knock in that game, while Sergio Busquets looks likely to replace the injured Seydou Keita, with fellow midfielder Yaya Touré out of favour.

'Magic night'
Back up to fourth in Spain, the Blaugrana will draw confidence from the form of Sunday scorer Samuel Eto'o, who has contributed nine goals this term, yet Guardiola warned against complacency. "It's typical of this club to underestimate teams, but in Europe one mistake can cost you the game," he said. "Still, a second away win would be a major step towards the next round." It would also spell disaster for Basel, who are yet to register a single point and must go to Camp Nou in a fortnight. "It's clear that Barcelona are favourites, but we won't concentrate on defence," promised Basel coach Christian Gross. "We want it to be a magic night and I'll need a lot of matadors out there."

Attacking approach
Having lost to both Sporting and Shakhtar, Gross is even being tipped to abandon his favoured 4-1-4-1 formation for a more attacking 4-4-2, with fit-again Eren Derdiyok partnering Marco Streller up front. The pair both started in Friday's 4-1 Swiss Cup triumph at FC Bulle – only Basel's first win in four outings – while centre-back François Marque returned from a thigh injury and Benjamin Huggel was rested. Influential duo Carlitos and Scott Chipperfield remain doubts, however, leaving Gross hoping the special St. Jakob-Park atmosphere will carry his side through. "The fans will give us tremendous support and what more do you want as a player than to play against Barcelona?"