CSKA Moscow will host Barcelona on Friday night with both sides welcoming back previously injured players ahead of the showdown in the Russian capital.

The reigning EuroLeague champions missed both guards Nando De Colo and Milos Teodosic, last week, while Barcelona has been without Juan Carlos Navarro for all but one game this season and only recently welcomed back Justin Doellman and Victor Claver.

CSKA could be welcoming back De Colo back to the line-up but is still 50/50 for Friday’s clash while Barcelona have Navarro back for selection.

“It’s a very important game for us,” Barcelona’s Tyrese Rice said. “For our mentality it’s something we need, to win a game. The biggest thing right now is trying to find consistency in approaching the games in the same way every night. It’s not about winning or losing, but about competing. And we do not always do it. We have to start taking things a little more personal, and then things change as a team.”

∞∞∞ PANATHINAIKOS GO FOR HAT-TRICK OF HOME WINS ∞∞∞

Panathinaikos will seek to win its third straight home game on Friday when it hosts Fenerbahce at the OAKA.

The game marks the return to Athens of Fenerbahce coach Zeljko Obradovic, who led the Greens to a glorious run for 13 years from 1999 through 2012. Panathinaikos has owned the rivalry against Fenerbahce over the years, including a 9-0 record at home.

“Panathinaikos in OAKA is always a very difficult game,” Obradovic said. “They have lots of quality and an experienced coach that has a lot of experience and he knows how to prepare his team. Of course, it is an important game for both teams.”

∞∞∞ GALATASARAY AND MILANO LOCK HORNS FOR FIRST TIME ∞∞∞

Galatasaray host EA7 Milano on Friday as the Turkish side look to secure a fourth straight win at home.

Galatasaray comes into the game with a 3-8 record, having won its last three home games. The hosts are led by their backcourt, with Justin Dentmon (12.3 ppg.), Sinan Guler (10.5 ppg., 5.3 apg.) and Vladimir Micov (9.5 ppg.). Alex Tyus and the resurgent Tibor Pleiss have carried Galatasaray in the paint.

Milan arrives in Istanbul with a 4-7 record after losing four in a row.