Ernesto Valverde is without five first-team players as Barcelona prepare to welcome Athletic Bilbao to Camp Nou on Sunday.
Barcelona will be looking to take another step towards the record La Liga unbeaten run when they play hosts to Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou on Sunday. As he prepares to welcome his former side, Ernesto Valverde has a number of fresh roster issues that have hampered his preparation for the match.
Thomas Vermaelen picked up an ankle injury in training, forcing the Barcelona boss to omit the Belgian defender from his matchday squad. But, with Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti fit, Valverde does not have much of a concern over his central defensive partnership.
Nelson Semedo continues to be unavailable due to a hamstring injury, and Sergi Roberto should continue as the right-back in his stead, with Jordi Alba starting on the opposite flank. Valverde spoke in detail about the players who are sidelined through injury during his pre-match press conference, and he expects a fully fit squad post the international break.
“Thomas (Vermaelen) gave us a scare – it was a heavy collision with Cuenca. The results of the tests have calmed us down. Semedo, Denis and Busquets will be back with us after the international break. We’re down to the bare bones, but we are convinced that we can have a good game tomorrow.”
As remarked by the Barcelona manager, Denis Suarez (groin) and Sergio Busquets (broken toe) are on the treatment table as well, and will miss out on Sunday. Valverde talked at length about Busquets’ absence, putting his faith in the versatile Ivan Rakitic to deputise well in the Spaniard’s stead.
“We’ve played games without Busquets, and we have other players who can help out, like Rakitic. We have sufficient alternatives, although Busquets is the best in the world in his position and it’s hard to replace him.”
Alongside Rakitic in midfield, should be Paulinho, who is looking to stake claim at a regular berth once again. Ousmane Dembele is likely to continue in the side as well after scoring his first goal in Barcelona colours, with Philippe Coutinho starting in place of Andres Iniesta, who is still shaking off the effects of a recent injury.
Upfront, Luis Suarez is unavailable due to suspension after he incurred his fifth booking of the league campaign at Malaga last weekend. Paco Alcacer should, thus, be handed a rare start in attack, lining up alongside Lionel Messi.
