Luis Enrique's selection doubts ahead of Barça's game against Granada
Injuries and the midweek trip to Manchester City may condition the coach's team selection this weekend
Barcelona return to league action this weekend against Granada with a number of players missing. Injuries, therefore, will condition Luis Enrique’s planning for Saturday’s game at Camp Nou.
The run of injuries seems to have no end at the moment, especially in defence. The latest to drop is Jeremy Mathieu, who picked up a calf problem in the Catalan Super Cup defeat to Espanyol.
The French centre-back joins Jasper Cillessen, Jordi Alba, Aleix Vidal, Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta on the sidelines. In addition, Arda Turan also ended Tuesday’s game against Espanyol with a knock.
Therefore, Luis Enrique doesn’t have much room for rotations when Granada visit ahead of the Champions League trip to Manchester City next week.
PROBABLE LINEUP
In goal, it will be Marc-Andre ter Stegen after Jordi Masip played the game against Espanyol in midweek.
What also seems undoubtable is that Sergi Roberto and Lucas Digne will play. Roberto has won his battle with Vidal, who despite being injured is way down Luis Enrique’s pecking order. French international Digne has been the replacement for the injured Alba.
In the middle of the back four will be Javier Mascherano and Samuel Umtiti, a duo who will have to adjust once again to the absence of Pique.
DENIS, RAFINHA, GOMES…
As of today, it seems that Luis Enrique, save a miraculous recovery from Pique or Alba, has no room to manoeuvre in defence.
That’s not the case in midfield. Iniesta’s absence is a big problem. The captain is important for the team’s system. Despite that, there are a number of options to replace the Spain international.
Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic, both regulars, are still fit. But, if they’re both selected, who will start with them? Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes are both options.
Arda Turan is another possibility. If the Turkish midfielder overcomes the ankle injury he picked up against Espanyol, that is. Rafinha, too, who has a rib problem, could still come into his manager’s reckoning.
UNQUESTIONABLE MSN
As for the forward line, it doesn’t seem as if Messi, Suarez or Neymar will rest against Granada. Paco Alcacer had minutes in midweek while the three South Americans were enjoying a few days off.
