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| Messi is a doubt for the crucial tie [AFP] |
Samuel Eto'o could return to haunt his former team as Barcelona face going out of the European Champions League.
Cameroon striker Eto'o scored to help Barca lift the European Cup in May, but will be playing for Inter Milan at the Nou Camp on Tuesday.
The Catalans need to win to retain realistic hopes of maintaining their title defence.
Coach Pep Guardiola will decide on Tuesday whether to risk Lionel Messi and former Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the trophy Barca won in style against Manchester United threatens to slip from their grasp.
Ibrahimovic and Messi have struggled to recover from thigh injuries in time for the penultimate Group F game against Jose Mourinho's side.
Rubin Tuesday
The Spanish champions are third behind Inter and Rubin Kazan and a defeat would put them out if Rubin beat Dynamo Kiev.
"We won't know until tomorrow. We are doing all we can for them to be available. The medics haven't told me one way or the other," Guardiola said.
"Whoever plays, we are all in it together, and I don't know why we can't win without them. But you always notice it when you are without your best.
"We have two games left and we need four points. Every team has a chance, but it is in our own hands."
Ibrahimovic trained with the rest of the squad on Monday evening, while Messi worked apart, but Guardiola also has to worry about the visit of new La Liga leaders Real Madrid for their top-of-the-table clash on Sunday.
Talking point
The return to the Nou Camp of Eto'o in an Inter shirt has been another talking point in the build up to the visit of the Serie A leaders.
The Cameroon striker spent five years at Barca, helping them win two European Cups, before leaving in the swap deal that brought Sweden's Ibrahimovic in as his replacement.
"He (Eto'o) will get the reception he deserves, and he deserves a good one," Guardiola added of his former number nine.
"The fans understand the player was not responsible for his exit, his coach was."
Earlier Mourinho, who had already said he was convinced Ibrahimovic would feature, played down the significance of the doubts over the fitness of Argentine Messi.
"I'm not worried about whether Messi will play or not. It doesn't change my plans," the Portuguese said.
"The world of football hopes to see Barca continue in the Champions League.
"They are the best team in Europe and they don't appear to be scared of us, but neither are we of them."
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