An artificial pitch and freezing conditions in Moscow are just two of the obstacles that stand between Group G leaders Barcelona and qualification to the last 16 tonight.

The La Liga leaders take on Spartak still smarting from a shock 2-1 defeat at Celtic last time round, and have flown to Russia with all their big guns to make sure of a point that would assure their passage into the last 16.

“The artificial pitch and the cold will not be a problem or an excuse,” Barca’s Cesc Fabregas said yesterday.

“Teams in the Champions League are always dangerous, and in Russia it is always tough. It will be a difficult match but we aren’t thinking we’ll qualify if we get a point. We want to win,” Fabregas added.

Barca have defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique back fit.