Predicted Barcelona Line-up To Face Leganes In La Liga
The frenzied action of club football returns once again after two weeks of international break. In La Liga, Barcelona take on Leganes away at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque. The league leaders will look to continue their scintillating run of form. Barcelona are 4 points clear of Valencia at the top of the league and 8 points ahead of rivals, Real Madrid. Ahead of the match, Valverde may have to make some important decisions regarding the squad.
Team News
Valverde’s men are on a three-game winning streak but will be without the injured Javier Mascherano. The Argentine is sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Pique and Umtiti are one booking away from suspension. Luis Suarez missed friendlies against Austria and Poland to recover from a persistent knee injury and is likely to start. Mundo Deportivo also reported that B team players, Alenya and Arnaiz may get a call-up for the game and may feature for a few minutes.
Formation: 4-3-3
Manager: Ernesto Valverde
Marc Andre ter Stegen (GK)
ter Stegen featured for Germany in place of the injured Neuer and is likely to continue his superb run of form.
Nelson Semedo (RB)
The Portuguese has gelled in at the right-back slot quite comfortably and is expected to start against Leganes.
Gerard Pique (CB)
Pique’s issues with the Spanish fanbase remains controversial, despite him portraying the captain’s armband in the international break. He is one yellow card away from suspension.
Samuel Umtiti (CB)
Umtiti has emerged as a real beast for Barca and comparisons with Puyol have already begun. Should start the game.
Jordi Alba (LB)
Alba has been on a great run of form this season and bagged 2 goals in 2 games in the international break. He’ll be looking to do something similar from the left flank for Barcelona.
Sergio Busquets (DM)
The pivot of Barcelona is central to the coach’s midfield plans and is the first name to appear in every midfield permutation.
Ivan Rakitic (CM)
Rakitic has been on a disappointing run of form but Valverde has been reluctant to start Denis Suarez for reasons unknown and has favoured Rakitic instead. That should be the trend against Leganes as well.
Andres Iniesta (CAM)
Iniesta played 74 minutes for Spain against Costa Rica and only the first 45 minutes against Russia. Valverde may also have one eye on the game against Juve on Wednesday, which could alter the lineup.
Paco Alcacer (RF)
Alcacer’s brace against Sevilla may be enough to finally convince the coach to provide him more playing time and could hence start against Leganes. He has looked sharper in front of goal in comparison to Luis Suarez.
Luis Suarez (LF)
Suarez didn’t participate in Uruguay’s friendlies and stayed at Barcelona to rest his knee and train harder to regain his form. Cules will be hoping for El Pistolero come back with a bang against Leganes.
Lionel Messi (CF)
Messi has been spectacular this season and he missed Argentina’s second friendly against Nigeria and returned to Barcelona to prepare himself for La Liga fixtures.