Barcelona are pinning their hopes on the return of Luis Figo and the restorative powers of a packed Nou Camp as they attempt another epic Champions League comeback against Valencia tonight.

Louis van Gaal's side, who were roared all the way to a 6-4 aggregate win over Chelsea in the last round after losing the first game 3-1, will need another helping hand from their fans after a 4-1 capitulation to Valencia in the semi-final first leg.

But of more tangible importance to their chances could be the fitness of Figo, who was sorely missed against Valencia and in Saturday's 2-0 home league defeat by Rayo Vallecano. Figo, suspended for the first semi-final game, was ruled out against Rayo because of a muscle tear. Without him, Barcelona were so bereft of attacking ideas they were whistled from the pitch at the end.

He returned to training on Monday and a subsequent scan revealed the injury had almost healed. Figo said yesterday he was improving and expected to play. "In my head I'm sure I'll be playing but you never know how the body will respond," he said. "This is a vital game, though, and my intention is to play even if I'm not quite at 100 per cent."

Van Gaal is remaining tight-lipped over his team selection but is almost certain to take a gamble on the influential Portuguese forward, whose importance to the side was summed up yesterday by Catalan defender Sergi Barjuan. "Figo is the best right-sided forward in the world at the moment. He's proved that," said Sergi. "We always need him, especially in a game like this, where we're in an extreme situation."

To score the three goals they need Barcelona are going to have to throw everything at Valencia from the start. The problem is that such an approach runs the risk of total humiliation against arguably the best counterattacking side in Europe. Valencia have scored 17 goals in five league victories over the past month, plus nine in Champions League matches against Barcelona and Lazio. Their midfield quartet of Gaizka Mendieta, Francisco Farinos, Gerard Lopez and Kily Gonzalez have been in irresistible form, while Miguel Angel Angulo and Claudio Lopez form a high-quality forward partnership.

To counter that attacking strength van Gaal may opt to revert to a 4-3-3 formation, with Rivaldo moving back to the left wing. Rightsided midfielder Gabri Garcia is ruled out through suspension and Ronald de Boer, his natural replacement, has failed a late fitness test and will not play. That is likely to mean a place in the side for Jari Litmanen.

Valencia coach Hector Cuper will also have something to think about in terms of tactics after seeing his side beaten 3-0 at the Nou Camp in a league match in April. Cuper changed from his usual 4-4-2 formation for that game, playing instead with five at the back - just as he had in an earlier 3-0 Champions League defeat at Old Trafford. Those defeats were the result of Valencia trying to alter their game plan against supposedly superior opposition. Last week's 4-1 victory over the favourites should persuade Cuper that his side are inferior to no other team.

Barcelona (possible): Hesp; Reiziger, F de Boer, Fernandez, Barjuan; Litmanen, Guardiola, Cocu; Figo, Rivaldo, Kluivert.

Valencia (possible): Canizares; Angloma, Djukic, Pellegrino Carboni; Farinos, Lopez, Mendieta, 18-Kily Gonzalez; Angulo, Lopez.

Referee: V M Melo Pereira (Portugal)