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| Barça squad to face Atletic Club announced | Image: FCB |
After a disappointing 1-1 draw against Betis at the Benito Villamarin last week that saw them fall four points behind leaders Real Madrid, FC Barcelona will be looking to return to winning ways when they host familiar foes Athletic Bilbao in their 21st game of the 2016/2017 La Liga season.
Total focus is needed for Barcelona if they are to fulfill their dream of winning a third consecutive league crown, and to keep that hope alive, they must secure all three points against Ernesto Velverde’s men when they go head to head at the Camp Nou and Coach Luis Enrique has named his squad list for the game featuring 18 players.
Goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen returns to the team after being given a rest during Barça’s midweek 2-1 Copa del Rey semifinal win over Atletico Madrid which means third choice Jordi Masip has been dropped for the game.
Midfielders Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets trained with the team but have both been left out of the squad to avoid risks alongside Lucas Digne.
BARCELONA SQUAD VS ATHLETIC BILBAO
Goalkeepers: Marc-André Ter Stegen, Jasper Cillessen;
Defenders: Aleix Vidal, Sergi Roberto, Gerard Piqué, Javier Mascherano, Samuel Umtiti, Jérémy Mathieu, Jordi Alba;
Midfielders: Ivan Rakitic, Denis Suárez, Rafinha Alcántara, Arda Turan, André Gomes;
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Paco Alcácer, Neymar