18 players in Barcelona squad to face Leganes

FC Barcelona will be looking to bounce back in La Liga when they take on newly-promoted side Leganes in their fourth league game of the season away from home and coach Luis Enrique has named his squad of 18 players for the game which kicks off at midday on Saturday.

The coach will not take things for granted in the game although he made some bizarre inclusions and exclusions from the squad. Defensive Midfielder Sergio Busquets have been given a deserved rest and isn’t called up for the game with Andre Gomes likely to fill his role but the shocker of the list is the exclusion of left-back Lucas Digne as Jeremy Mathieu replaces him in the squad.

Right back Aleix Vidal won’t be happy as he is left out of the match squad once again and won’t travel with the team. Goalkeeper Jordi Masip completes the list of players that won’t travel to the City of Madrid to take on Leganes as first choice goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen is set to make his return in the league. Denis Suarez returns to the squad after being left out of Barça’s 7-0 Champions League win against Celtic on Tuesday.

Goalkeepers: Marc Andre Ter Stegen, Jasper Cillessen;

Defenders: Sergi Roberto, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Jeremy Mathieu, Jordi Alba;

Midfielders: Ivan Rakitic, Andre Gomes, Denis Suarez, Rafinha Alcantara, Arda Turan, Andres Iniesta;

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar, Paco Alcacer.

The game kicks off at 1:00pm CET.