Madrid - Barcelona right-back Dani Alves will probably be out of action for around three weeks, after tearing a muscle in the back of his right thigh in Tuesday's shock 2-1 defeat at home to Rubin Kazan.

The injury was sustained at the end of the Champions League match and the Brazilian was due to undergo rigorous medical checks on Wednesday.

Alves' absence will oblige coach Josep Guardiola to field veteran captain Carles Puyol at right-back, since Barca do not have another right-back in their squad. (dpa)