Barcelona announce squad for Athletic Bilbao match

Barcelona welcome Athletic Bilbao to Camp Nou for a tough La Liga game, and Ernesto Valverde has called up 18 players to be in uniform on Sunday afternoon.

This is the full squad:

Goalkeepers: 1. Marc-André ter Stegen, 13. Jasper Cillessen

Defenders: 3. Gerard Piqué, 18. Jordi Alba, 19. Lucas Digne, 20. Sergi Roberto, 23. Samuel Umtiti, 24. Yerry Mina

Midfielders: 4. Ivan Rakitic, 8. Andrés Iniesta, 14. Philippe Coutinho, 15. Paulinho Bezerra, 21. André Gomes, 22. Aleix Vidal, 26. Carles Aleñà

Forwards: 10. Lionel Messi, 11. Ousmane Dembélé, 17. Paco Alcácer

There are two important absences for this one: Sergio Busquets is out with injury while Luis Suárez misses out due to suspension. Nélson Semedo, Denis Suarez and Thomas Vermaelen are also injured and cannot play. With only 17 first team players available, Valverde called up Aleñà from Barça B, although he’s unlikely to start.

Predicted starting XI (4-4-2):
Ter Stegen; Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Alba; Vidal, Rakitic, Paulinho, Coutinho; Messi, Alcácer