Exclusive: Luis Enrique's plans for Lionel Messi and Samuel Umtiti

Luis Enrique’s grand priority is to arrive at the game against Manchester City with the team in their best possible condition, and the Gala XI ready to play. The technical team is sure that by beating Guardiola’s side they will be virtually assured of qualification in the Champions League and close to securing first place too - they would have a five point advantage over the English team. 

But it won’t be easy. For the game against City the team is returning after an international break, which could produce injuries and tiredness. There are two big names in Luis Enrique’s plans. Those of Lionel Messi and Samuel Umtiti. 

The French centre-back, who has been injured, has not been called up by Didier Deschamps for France. He can therefore recover from his knee problem, with Barcelona hoping to use him on October 15 after the international break. The coach’s intention is that he starts over Mascherano, who will arrive back tired and without having trained for Barcelona after Argentina’s games. 

Messi is a different case. The Argentine is recovering from a muscular injury and he will be in the squad against Depor, but not in the starting XI. The priority for the crack is to slowly recover and not to force his injury, so the initial plans are for him to play 30 minutes in the second half. 

Luis Enrique will rotate, just like he has done so far this season. So expect a mixed up team against Depor, with three quarters of the squad playing international football before the game. Perhaps not as much rotation as was made against Alaves, when Barcelona paid a high price, but five or six men could start to rest those who will feature from the off against City four days later. 

The only doubt over the starting line up for that game is Umtiti or Mascherano. The Argentine has the edge in Lucho’s book so far, but a good game for Umtiti against Depor or any problems for Mascherano with Argentina could define the side.