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Barcelona vs Juventus – Expected Starting XI

By Chiranjib Ghosh

BARCELONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 09: Ousmane Dembele of Barcelona looks on after the La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Camp Nou on September 9, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 09: Ousmane Dembele of Barcelona looks on after the La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Camp Nou on September 9, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona have announced the squad for the game against Juventus, but Ernesto Valverde has been fickle with his team selection so far

VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN – AUGUST 26: Head coach Ernesto Valverde of FC Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Barcelona at Estadio de Mendizorroza on August 26, 2017 in Vitoria-Gasteiz,Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN – AUGUST 26: Head coach Ernesto Valverde of FC Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Barcelona at Estadio de Mendizorroza on August 26, 2017 in Vitoria-Gasteiz,Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /

Barcelona have a well-rested, and in-form team that is on the back of a 5-0 thumping in a Derby. The spirits at the club could no be higher, but the squad will face a fitting opponent in Juventus. The rivalry between these two clubs began when they faced each other in the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League final. But it reached a whole new level last season, when the Old Lady outplayed the Catalans in the Quarter-Finals.

Squad

Goalkeepers : Marc-André ter Stegen, Jasper Cillessen

Right-backs : Nélson Semedo, Sergi Roberto

Centre-backs : Gerard Piqué, Samuel Umtiti, Javier Mascherano

Left-back : Jordi Alba

Defensive midfielders : Sergio Busquets, Paulinho

Playmakers : Ivan Rakitić, André Gomes, Andrés Iniesta, Denis Suárez

Forwards : Ousmane Dembélé, Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Gerard Deulofeu

Notable exclusions : Paco Alcácer(flu), Arda Turan(injury), Rafinha(injury), Thomas Vermaelen(general exclusion), Aleix Vidal(general exclusion), Lucas Digne(general exclusion)

Expected starting XI :

Goalkeeper :  Marc-André ter Stegen

Right-back : Nélson Semedo

Centre-back(left) : Samuel Umtiti

Centre-back(right) : Gerard Piqué

Left-back : Jordi Alba

Defensive midfielder : Sergio Busquets

Playmaker(left) : Andrés Iniesta (captain)

Playmaker(right) : Ivan Rakitić

Left forward : Ousmane Dembélé

Centre forward : Luis Suárez

Right forward : Lionel Messi (vice-captain)

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Ernesto Valverde has shown that he is a capable manager of the squad in the very beginning of his Barcelona career. Although he has played around with the first-team very often, it will work out for the better for games such as this.

In the 5-0 drubbing of Espanyol in the La Liga, Valverde took off Sergio Busquets and Andrés Iniesta to ensure that they would be fit and raring to go against Juventus. And as a result, the Spanish will, most probably, be able to play the entire match.

But Ousmane Dembélé is in line to make his first start in a Barcelona shirt. He came on for Gerard Deulofeu in the last game to make his debut. But he did not leave a doubt in the mind of any Barcelona fan who questioned his signing, making an instant impact.

Dembélé’s performance was such that he could knock out the hardworking Gerard Deulofeu in this crucial tie. But Valverde has taken a risk by not including Lucas Digne in the squad. If Jordi Alba gets injured or fatigued, Valverde cannot fall back on the trusty Frenchman.

Next: Ter Stegen : We are not out for revenge for last season

But considering the stamina of Alba, he can easily get through the game. With Lionel Messi in top form and Luis Suárez returning to full fitness, we will be in for a treat tonight.

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