Ernesto Valverde is without three first-team players as Barcelona prepare to face rock-bottom Malaga at La Rosaleda on Saturday.
Barcelona will be aiming to extend their club-record unbeaten run in La Liga as well as their lead atop the table when they visit La Rosaleda to take on bottom side Malaga on Saturday. Ernesto Valverde though, has a few injuries that have hampered his preparation for this game and maybe, beyond.
The Barcelona manager did not provide any injury update in his pre-match press conference, but asserted that he will not take the Andalucian side lightly despite their current standing on the La Liga table, which suggests that a side largely comprising of first-team regulars is expected to be named.
“Every game is important and not winning would mean a lot more pressure going into the next game. It’s not a test ahead of Chelsea, it’s a game to win to continue picking up point in the league.”
Nelson Semedo continues to remain on the treatment table as he recovers from a hamstring injury. In his absence, Sergi Roberto should start as the right-back. On the opposite flank, Jordi Alba is likely to be the left-back.
Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen are expected to line up at the heart of the Barcelona defence, with Gerard Pique possibly getting a rest keeping his niggling knee problem in mind, and with one eye on the crucial Champions League tie against Chelsea on Wednesday.
In midfield, Denis Suarez is a fresh injury concern for Valverde after sustaining a groin injury during the midweek Supercopa de Catalunya final against Espanyol. The Spaniard, and Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta (hamstring) have missed the trip to La Rosaleda as a result.
In Iniesta’s stead, Philippe Coutinho should assume the role on the left side of the midfield, with the Brazilian set to miss the Chelsea game as he is cup-tied. Alongside Coutinho in midfield, the likes of Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Paulinho are expected to start, with Ousmane Dembele likely to be on the bench after featuring against Espanyol.
The aforementioned comments by Valverde suggest that the strike partnership of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez should start once again, also due to the fact that Paco Alcacer played in the Espanyol game and is only likely to be a substitute.
