FC Barcelona announce squad for La Liga match against Valencia

The next Barcelona match is upon us! The Blaugrana travel to the Mestalla for a very tough La Liga match against Valencia, and coach Luis Enrique has named an 18-man squad for the trip:

Goalkeepers: 1. Marc-André ter Stegen, 25. Jordi Masip

Defenders: 14. Javier Mascherano, 19. Lucas Digne, 20. Sergi Roberto, 22. Aleix Vidal, 23. Samuel Umtiti, 24. Jérémy Mathieu

Midfielders: 4. Ivan Rakitic, 5. Sergio Busquets, 6. Denis Suarez, 8. Andrés Iniesta, 21. André Gomes, Carles Aleñá (Barça B)

Forwards: 9. Luis Suárez, 10. Lionel Messi, 11. Neymar Jr., 17. Paco Alcácer

There are two major surprises: the return of Aleix Vidal to a squad list after nearly two months without being included with an actual chance to at least make the bench — he was in the last two Champions League squads but was cut from the bench —, and of course Barça B midfielder Carles Aleñá, one of the most promising players in the youth academy that will probably not play, but just to travel and be around the first team is already a major thing for the youngster.

In terms of absences, five Blaugrana players are unavailable because of injury: Gerard Piqué, Jordi Alba, Jasper Cillessen, Arda Turan and Rafinha Alcântara. The last two suffered last-minute injuries in training, but they're not serious and the duo will only miss this weekend's game.

Projected starting lineup (4-3-3):

Ter Stegen; Roberto, Mascherano, Umtiti, Digne; Busquets, Gomes, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez, Neymar

The match starts at 4:15pm CET / 3:15pm BST (UK) / 10:15am ET, 7:15am PT (US), 7:45pm IST (India), and you can join us to follow and comment all the action.

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