Everything Barca
Fansided

Luis Enrique Announces Squad for Barca vs. Atletico Madrid

By Laieke Abebe

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 15: Luis Enrique, of FC Barcelona during the Spanish League match between FC Barcelona vs RC Deportivo at Camp Nou Stadium, on October 15, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Joan Cros Garcia/Corbis via Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 15: Luis Enrique, of FC Barcelona during the Spanish League match between FC Barcelona vs RC Deportivo at Camp Nou Stadium, on October 15, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Joan Cros Garcia/Corbis via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Barca manager Luis Enrique has made some changes to his team to face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Copa Del Rey semifinal tie.

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has named his 18 man team for the match against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final. This is the second and it will be played at Camp Nou, the home of Barca. Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta return to the squad after they each picked up injuries. Busquets is set to receive a starting nod for this match. However, Iniesta is still not fit to play the full 90 minutes (or more if there is a comeback). He could very well begin the game on the bench.

In addition, left back Lucas Digne will return after he suffered a knee injury. Defender Gerard Pique had a thigh injury against Athletic Club. However, like Digne, he is also fit to join the 18-man team. Luis Enrique has left number one goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and defender Jeremy Mathieu out of the team. This means that Jasper Cillessen will draw the start in goal once again. Rafinha suffered a broken nose and won’t play in this match. Also, Neymar is suspended for the match because of card accumulation.

More from Everything Barca

With all of that in mind, here is the squad that will face Atletico at the Camp Nou. It will be goalkeepers Jasper Cillessen and Jordi Masip. In addition, defenders Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Lucas Digne, Sergi Roberto, Aleix Vidal and Samuel Umtiti make the team. Also, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Denis Suárez, Andre Gomes, Arda Turan, Andres Iniesta, and Javier Mascherano will make up the midfielders in the team. Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Paco Alcacer will be the forwards.

A lot of the familiar names of the club are featured in this team. However, many are missing as mentioned at the beginning. It will be interesting to see how Luis Enrique lines up against a great Atletico defense. In addition to this, there are many questions to be asked. When will Andres Iniesta get some playing time in this match? Will the other supporting players step up to the challenge?

Next: Barca's Midfield Overhaul

Despite the missing players, this is a strong squad that Luis Enrique has at his disposal. Lionel Messi is going to provide the magic like he always does. In addition, having both Busquets and Iniesta back in the team is great news. Their creativity and poise help the team whenever they’re struggling to find a rhythm. Overall, Messi and Barcelona are in for a yet another tough match against one of their biggest rivals in Spain. A spot in the Copa Del Rey final is on the line. Atletico will come ready to play under the direction of Diego Simeone. Barca must do the same.