Barcelona players in training |
FC Barcelona face one of the revolutions of the season in Deportivo Alavés in their 22nd game of the 2016/2017 La Liga season away from home.
The Catalan giants are one point below leaders Real Madrid at the top of the table with the leaders having two games in hand, now, to keep their hopes alive, a win is a must for Luis Enrique’s men after they suffered one of the shocks of the season losing out to the newcomers 2-1 at the Camp Nou.
Coach Luis Enrique had named his squad list for the game at Alavés with five first team absentees. Midfielder Rafinha Alcántara misses out after sustaining a head injury last week against Athletic Bilbao. Along with Rafinha Alcántara, Javier Mascherano and Arda Turan will miss the game too, the latter not taking part in the last training session… Gerard Piqué also didn’t take part in the training session and has been omitted from the squad list. Jordi Masip is for, but has been left out for technical reasons.
Marc-André Ter Stegen returns to the squad after being given a rest in the midweek Copa game against Atletico Madrid. Sergio Busquets and Andrés Iniesta also makes the squad list with Jérémy Mathieu returning following his being left out vs Atletico Madrid. Finally, B team player Carles Aleña was included to complete the list. Neymar also makes a return to tv squad.
BARÇA SQUAD VS ALAVÉS
Goalkeepers: Marc-André Ter Stegen, Jasper Cillessen;
Defenders: Aleix Vidal, Sergi Roberto, Jérémy Mathieu, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Lucas Digne;
Midfielders: André Gomes, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, Denis Suárez, Carles Aleña;
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Neymar, Paco Alcácer.