Pep - Real are favourites

Pep Guardiola claims his Barcelona side should be considered underdogs to see off Real Madrid in Europe.

Spanish football's arch-enemies have seen plenty of each other over recent weeks, with a stalemate played out in the league and Real claiming Copa del Rey glory.

The next instalment of the Clasico series arrives on Wednesday, when Barca travel to Santiago Bernabeu for the first leg of an eagerly-anticipated UEFA Champions League semi-final.

They will arrive in the Spanish capital aware that Real followed up their cup success with a 6-3 demolition job of third-placed Valencia on Saturday.

"We accept that Madrid are favourites, they have earned that in the last few weeks, and we'll try to turn that around."
Pep Guardiola Quotes of the week

Taking both of those results into account, Guardiola believes Jose Mourinho's side should not now be regarded as the favourites to reach this season's Champions League final.

"We know that Madrid are not going to lose any more [league] games because with a title in the bag they are liberated and we have to get back to winning ways," said the Barca boss.

"We are not going [to Madrid] in the best condition but in mental terms we will travel to the Bernabeu with a lot of enthusiasm.

"We accept that Madrid are favourites, they have earned that in the last few weeks, and we'll try to turn that around."

Injury trouble

Barca will have to contend with something of a defensive dilemma at the Bernabeu, with Guardiola having seen his options take a pummelling.

Brazilian full-back Adriano is missing with a thigh problem, while Eric Abidal is recovering from surgery on a liver tumour and captain Carles Puyol is still nursing a knock.

To add to those concerns, Gabriel Milito and Maxwell are also doubts for the continental clash.

"The availability of both players will depend on their recovery from their respective injuries," read a statement on Barcelona's official website.

"Both Milito and Maxwell underwent ultrasound and MRI scans, which confirmed the diagnostics from Saturday after the game [against Osasuna].

"A small calf pull in his right leg in the case of Milito and a groin strain in Maxwell's case."