Barcelona will be without two of their key players as they travel to Celta Vigo on Sunday evening looking to secure all three points.
Argentine wizard Lionel Messi is still out with a hamstring injury and Barcelona are sorely missing their best player. Summer signing Paco Alcacer has replaced Messi in the first team, but is yet to score in La Liga.
However, the former Valencia striker could have the chance to change that against an under-performing Celta Vigo team still reeling from the loss of striker Nolito. Manager Luis Enrique remains confident that the 23-year-old Spaniard will come good sooner rather than later.
“He is doing everything I want of him and, even though he is still adapting, he is doing it perfectly,” said Enrique ahead of the game, according to the official club website.
“It is key that the squad knows he can do a job for the team.”
Another important player missing is defender Samuel Umtiti. The summer signing has impressed in central defence alongside Gerard Pique, but suffered a knee injury in training a couple of weeks ago. He is unlikely to play in the game against Celta.
Enrique is set to start the veteran duo of Pique and Javier Mascherano in central defence, flanked by Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto. German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will start in goal after cementing his place as the new No.1 following the departure of Claudio Bravo.
The midfield trio of Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta is set to remain unchanged, with Iniesta preparing to make his 600th appearance for the Blaugrana.
With the support of his manager, Alcacer will slot into the team in the absence of Messi. The Spaniard will look to feed off the attacking form of his two other striker partners, Luis Suarez and Neymar. Arda Turan, who scored against Borussia Monchengladbach in midweek, is also an option should Enrique choose to rest either of the two South American forwards.
