Marc Bartra vows to stay in Barcelona's starting line-up

Amid a defensive crisis at the club, Barcelona defender Marc Bartra has vowed to hold down a place at centre-back in the final weeks of the season.

Injuries to Carles Puyol and Javier Mascherano have meant the 22-year-old has started each of Barca's last three league games. And with Adriano suspended for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first-leg against Bayern Munich, he could well partner Gerard Pique in Germany.

"When there are difficult games you try to give your best. I have spent the whole season preparing for when my moment came," he said. "I will try to do my best. Physically I am good and every time I play I feel better."

Barca need just three more wins to seal a fourth title in five seasons - even assuming no Real Madrid slip-ups in the coming weeks.

Bartra is delighted with how the Catalan club have managed to stay focused in La Liga, having led from the front for most of the season.

"It is not easy, even when you are so many points in front.

"We haven't relaxed, even when having the Champions League games that we have had. It is not easy to be so many points in front and maintain that distance. The work we have done is something to be proud of," Bartra said.