Andrés Iniesta in Barcelona training |
After a fine 2-1 win in their first leg at the Vicente Calderon, FC Barcelona will be looking to finish the job at the Camp Nou when they host Diego Simeone’s men in the second leg of the 2016/2017 Copa del Rey semifinal on Tuesday night.
Goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez gave Barça a great 2-1 advantage entering into the second leg, but the job is not done and Barça must not be complacent if they are to achieve one of their aims of getting into the Copa del Rey final for the fourth consecutive seasons.
Coach Luis Enrique has named his squad for the game featuring 18 players. The major absentee is star forward Neymar who misses out after being suspended in the first leg for picking up 3 yellow cards. Also, goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen has been given rest which means Jordi Masip comes in along with Jasper Cillessen who is likely to start.
Rafinha Alcántara is out through injury after picking a cut to his head against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, it is still unknown when he’ll make a return.
The best news of the day is that midfielders Sergio Busquets and Andrés Iniesta who have both trained normally so far have gotten the medical greenlight and are part of the team, a huge boost for Barça. Also, left back Lucas Digne who picked up a knock and missed the last game was also given the medical go-ahead.
Gerard Piqué also featured in the squad despite speculations stating that he could miss it due to a knock he picked against Athletic Bilbao. Aside from Ter Stegen, Neymar and Rafinha, Jérémy Mathieu was also left out.
BARÇA SQUAD VS ATLÉTI
Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen, Jordi Masip;
Defenders: Sergi Roberto, Aleix Vidal, Gerard Piqué Samuel Umtiti, Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba, Lucas Digne;
Midfielders: Ivan Rakitic, André Gomes, Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Denis Suárez;
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Arda Turan, Paco Alcácer.
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