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Barcelona: Ernesto Valverde could rest players against Eibar

By Laieke Abebe

BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 11: Ernesto Valverde, Manager of FC Barcelona looks on prior the La Liga match between Barcelona and Getafe at Camp Nou on February 11, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 11: Ernesto Valverde, Manager of FC Barcelona looks on prior the La Liga match between Barcelona and Getafe at Camp Nou on February 11, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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As the Champions League clash with Chelsea approaches, manager Ernesto Valverde could rest some key players against Eibar this weekend.

Barcelona has a tough task against Eibar this weekend in the Basque Country. With their point gap at the top of La Liga down to seven points, they could use a win to keep them a good distance away from Atletico Madrid in second. However, the Blaugrana also have a Champions League knockout stage match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. In the end, manager Ernesto Valverde has to make some tough choices for the match on the weekend.

The defense has to get some rest ahead of the match against Chelsea. This could mean that there is a spot for Nelson Semedo and Luca Digne to get some minutes. Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba usually start in the left and right outside back roles. However, their importance means that Valverde could rest them until the second half of the Eibar match. In the end, that will be a very tough choice for Valverde to make.

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Gerard Pique picked up an injury in the game at Espanyol, a game in which he scored the equalizer in a 1-1 draw. There is the choice to play him through the injury at Eibar or rest him for the Champions League match. This all depends on the health of Thomas Vermaelen and Samuel Umtiti along with the availability of Yerry Mina. The correct choice would be to rest Gerard Pique ahead of the Chelsea match because Barca needs him at full strength.

Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets are getting up there in age. However, they continue to age like fine wine as they continue to produce magic. Despite their great magic, resting one or both of them would be essential for the Champions League match. Enter Philippe Coutinho. The reason why he was signed was to provide depth and creativity in the midfield. Due to the fact that he played for Liverpool in the Champions League this season, he can’t feature again this year for Barca. Hence, the Brazilian should see a lot of action against Eibar on the weekend.

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Overall, the match against Eibar won’t be easy, but the right team can get the job done in that match. The Champions League match is what everyone is focusing on at the moment. However, the “one game at a time” mantra has been what Barca has used to be successful this season. In the end, Valverde has a lot of tough choices to make. We’ll see if he can push the right buttons once again.

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