Barcelona's Adriano misses Villarreal opener

Barcelona's Adriano misses Villarreal opener

Published Aug. 28, 2011 6:46 a.m. ET

Barcelona says defender Adriano is injured and will miss Monday's Spanish league opener against Villarreal.

The Brazilian international pulled a muscle in his left leg in Friday's European Super Cup 2-0 win over FC Porto. Barcelona announced the news late Saturday.

Adriano joins fellow defenders Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique and Maxwell on the injured list.

Right back Dani Alves also cannot play due to suspension carried over from last season.

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Coach Pep Guardiola will likely draft midfielders Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano into defensive duty, and give the club's youth players a call.

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