Samuel Umtiti is set for a long spell on the sidelines, but Valverde has recalled a couple of players as Barcelona take on Sporting Lisbon in UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona will be looking to put their weekend domestic disappointment aside when they welcome Sporting CP for the last match in the Group Stage of the Champions League. Ernesto Valverde though, will be without Samuel Umtiti, who sustained a hamstring injury in the weekend draw against Celta Vigo and is set to be out for around 8 weeks.
Besides Umtiti, there are a number of injury issues to deal with for Valverde, with the Frenchman joining the likes of Andres Iniesta (calf), Ousmane Dembele (hamstring), Rafinha (knee), Arda Turan (ankle) and Javier Mascherano (hamstring) on the treatment table.
The manager did not seem too concerned on the number of injuries as he highlighted the strength in depth of the squad in his pre-match press conference.
“The situation is what it is and every time a player has come in he has done well. I am confident that those who play will do well as the squad is ready to resolve the problems which come up as we go along.”
Barcelona are set to be without Samuel Umtiti for a long period through injury.
They’ve lost just one of the 36 league matches he’s started since his arrival compared to eight of the 54 he hasn’t!
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— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) December 3, 2017
Barcelona have already secured their place in the knockout phase and while there is room for experiment for Valverde, the manager would like his players to gain some momentum going into the weekend, especially after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Celta.
The same could be the reason that, while Valverde has chosen to recall Nelson Semedo and Gerard Deulofeu in the matchday squad, there are no surprises or call-ups from Barcelona B. Umtiti’s injury could see Thomas Vermaelen being handed another rare start in a Barcelona jersey.
The former Arsenal man looked comfortable in his last outing and will be hoping to build on the same. Nelson Semedo and Gerard Deulofeu could also be thrust into the side, with the duo fresh after being left out of the weekend tie. Their selection would also allow Valverde to rest Sergi Roberto and one of the attackers.
Elsewhere, Paco Alcacer should return to the starting lineup, as should the likes of Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez in the midfield in order to provide some rest to Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and others.
