Luis Enrique has chosen to rest Lionel Messi, who was injured and did not partake in international duty during the break. The manager has instead handed Arda Turan a start alongside Luis Suarez and Neymar.
?? Barça XI:
1.Ter Stegen
3.Piqué
4.Rakitic
5.Sergio
7.Arda
9.Suárez
11.Neymar Jr
12.Rafinha
14.Mascherano
19.Digne
24.Mathieu#FCBLive— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 15, 2016
Ter Stegen keeps his place in goal while Mascherano slots in at the centre of the defence to partner Gerard Pique. Frenchmen Jeremy Mathieu and Lucas Digne are chosen to cover either side of the central defence.
Aliñación d #osnosos para o #BarçaDépor da 8ª xornada de @LaLiga. Ás 16.15 h. no Camp Nou #DaleDÉ pic.twitter.com/NqjrJIDhVF
— RC Deportivo (@RCDeportivo) October 15, 2016
Messi’s absence is likely to add pressure on the Barcelona attacking duo of Luis Suarez and Neymar as they face off against the meanest defence in the league.