Barcelona are facing an injury crisis and defender Eric Abidal admits they will need to somehow find a way to cope with the "physical" challenge posed by Rangers.
But Abidal insists the answer is not for manager Frank Rijkaard to push him forward to bulk up the midfield.
Left-back Abidal is fearing another costly defeat, having already been beaten twice on international duty by Scotland in the past 13 months.
"I have played against Scotland for France and we have lost twice," said the 28-year-old former Lyon player.
"They play very aggressive football, it is much more physical."
Barcelona have ruled playmaker Deco out for five weeks, striker Samuel Eto'o is still sidelined, and Yaya Toure, Gianluca Zambrotta, Edmilson and Rafael Marquez will also miss Tuesday's Champions League Group E clash.
They could be light in midfield, in terms of a ball-winner, but Abidal said: "I am a defender, not a midfielder. I am not used to playing in midfield. To be honest, it's not a position I fancy very much. There are players that can cover that area and it is up to the boss to decide which of us will have to do that."
Deco admits Barcelona's players, who visited Scotland on a pre-season tour and played matches against Dundee United and Hearts, may have pushed themselves too hard and paid the price.
He said on www.fcbarcelona.com: "I am no doctor but when we put in a lot of effort and play lots of games you reach the point where your body has hit its limit and that's when injuries occur."
16 10 2007
Barcelona left-back Sylvinho has defended those Barcelona players who wish to continue their international careers despite the condemnation of president Joan Laporta.
The former Brazil international said, "Players love to play football and, if summoned by their country, they will gladly heed the call. Footballers are just looking to play, but it seems that we have the least to say on the subject."
Nonetheless, the veteran defender admitted that there are complications.
"It's a simple comment, but a complex issue," he conceded, adding that his time with the Brazil team - which coincided with his spell at Arsenal - had its difficulties.
Sylvinho is currently a squad player at the Nou Camp, with new signing Eric Abidal having made the left-back slot his own. The 33 year old, though, has not given up hope of regaining his place from the younger Frenchman.
"As a player, you want to play, and you're happy when you can," he began.
"I will continue to work hard in training in order to play my role well when the coach decides that it's time for me to do so."
On the subject of Lionel Messi's Golden Ball candidacy, he said, "Messi is a player without equal, and every day he gets better, but I prefer not to talk about who's the best in the world. I always say that there are four or five very good players, and Messi is one of them, like Kaka, Ronaldinho, or Cristiano Ronaldo."
Sylvinho, formerly of Celta Vigo, arrived at the Nou Camp from Arsenal in 2004. He has 6 caps for Brazil.
01 10 2007
Striker Jean-Claude Darcheville feels Rangers' Champions League visit to Lyon is a perfect opportunity for the Ibrox side to progress in Group E.
"Lyon lost a lot of players during the summer and are trying to rebuild their squad," Darcheville told BBC Sport.
"Their defeat to Barcelona was a very important result for Rangers, as I think the defeat will have affected their confidence a little. There is a lot of pressure on Lyon so it is a good time to be playing them."
The 32-year-old Frenchman - an injury doubt for Matchday Two - has been an instant hit with the Light Blues' support since his summer arrival to Scotland.
And the former Bordeaux forward hopes he can make a contribution at the Stade Gerland, a stadium he has thus far failed to score in.
"I have had good results in my career against them, although I have not scored at the Stade Gerland before so hopefully we can get the right result."
Walter Smith's side travel to France on a positve note, having defeated German champions VfB Stuttgart 2-1 at Ibrox, with Barcelona easing past Les Gones 3-0 at the Camp Nou.
"We have a good spirit after the win against Stuttgart," added Darcheville.
"We are all working hard and we showed a lot of character to come from a goal behind to beat them. Even though some of Lyon's best players like Eric Abidal, Tiago Mendes, Claudio Cacapa and Florent Malouda have left, they are still a very good side."
The tie against Alain Perrin's Ligue 1 holders will be Rangers' thirteenth European tie in France and, if fit and available, Darcheville - known as 'The Rocket' - is ready for another lone role up front.
"It can be hard to play up front on my own but I played that position in Montenegro and in Serbia, so whatever the manager wants you don't say no. The team is very confident - I will always try my best for the team whatever role I am asked to play."
