Andre Gomes' turn to miss out as Luis Enrique continues rotations

Andre Gomes' turn to miss out as Luis Enrique continues rotations

The midfielder will not be involved against Athletic in the Copa del Rey game on Wednesday

The rotations in the middle of the pitch were once again the focus of Luis Enrique's squad for Barcelona's game against Athletic Club at Camp Nou on Wednesday, the second leg of the two sides' Copa del Rey tie. 

If in the first leg Denis Suarez was the big absentee and against Villarreal it was Ivan Rakitic's turn, this time it's Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes who is the victim of the Asturian coach's rotation game. 

The absence of the ex-Valencia man was the main news to come from the squad for the game which has been classified as a final. Athletic were 2-1 winners at San Mames, leaving Barça needing to come from behind. 

Gomes, who came on in the 70th minute of the first leg for Rakitic, was last left out of the squad when Barcelona played Espanyol at home, just before the Christmas break. 

Until now, the Portuguese's involvement has been gradually increasing, to the point that he seems to be level-pegging Rakitic for the final place in Barcelona's midfield three when they play their Gala XI. 

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