Barça squad named for Atleti

Ernesto Valverde has called up 18 players for Saturday’s big game

The next Barcelona match is upon us! The Blaugrana welcome Atlético Madrid to Camp Nou for the biggest game of the La Liga season, and Ernesto Valverde has called up the following 18 players to be in uniform on Saturday:

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Goalkeepers: 1. Marc-André ter Stegen, 13. Jasper Cillessen

Defenders: 2. Nélson Semedo, 3. Gerard Piqué, 15. Clément Lenglet, 17. Jeison Murillo, 18. Jordi Alba, 23. Samuel Umtiti

Midfielders: 4. Ivan Rakitic, 5. Sergio Busquets, 7. Philippe Coutinho, 8. Arthur, 20. Sergi Roberto, 21. Carles Aleñá

Forwards: 9. Luis Suárez, 10. Lionel Messi, 14. Malcom, 19. Kevin-Prince Boateng

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The only key player missing from the squad for this one is Arturo Vidal, who is suspended for yellow card accumulation. Jasper Cillessen is back after missing two games through injury. Ousmane Dembélé (hamstring) and Rafinha (knee) can’t play due to injury, while Jean-Clair Todibo and Thomas Vermaelen miss out per the manager’s decision and will watch from the stands.

Predicted starting XI (4-3-3):

Ter Stegen; Semedo, Piqué, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur; Messi, Suárez, Malcom

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The match kicks off at 8.45pm CET (Barcelona), 7.45pm BST/WAT (UK & Nigeria), 2.45pm ET, 11.45am PT (USA), 12.15am IST (India, Sunday), and you can join us to follow and comment all the action with our live blog.

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