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Barca blow as Marquez ruled out for season

  • Story Highlights
  • Rafael Marquez ruled out for eight to 10 weeks with knee ligament damage
  • Mexican defender Marquez will miss crucial run-in to Barcelona's campaign
  • Real Madrid missing Guti for El Clasico match against Barcelona
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(CNN) -- Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez is set to miss the rest of the season with the knee injury he picked up in their Champions League goalless draw at home to Chelsea on Tuesday night.

Marquez goes down clutching his knee in the Camp Nou clash with Chelsea.

Marquez goes down clutching his knee in the Camp Nou clash with Chelsea.

It is a big blow for Barcelona, who will be lacking central defensive cover for next week's semifinal second leg at Stamford Bridge with Carles Puyol ruled out through suspension.

Mexican international Marquez was stretched off at the start of the second half after going down clutching his left knee despite no challenge from a Chelsea player.

Tests have confirmed the Mexican has suffered meniscus damage.

The 30-year-old will have arthroscopic surgery on Saturday and is set to be out for between "eight to 10 weeks", according to the official Web site of the Primera Liga club.

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His injury comes at a vital time of Barcelona's season with the "El Clasico" clash with Real Madrid on Saturday which is likely to decide the outcome of the Spanish title race.

Barcelona are four points clear of champions Real with five games remaining.

Marquez will also miss the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao as Barca bid for the domestic double and the Champions League final should his team get past Chelsea.

Real Madrid also suffered an injury setback on Wednesday with midfielder Guti ruled out of Saturday's match after suffering an ankle injury in training.

Guti has been restored to the Real line-up for their last two games by coach Juande Ramos and there is no immediate indication of how long he will be sidelined.

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