MX23RW : Wednesday, May 1 13:58:24| >> :120:20483:20483:
[monks data]
Attendance: 72,857
Barcelona logo
La Liga
Sep 9, 2017 at 7.45pm UK
 
Espanyol logo

5-0

Messi (26', 35', 67'), Pique (87'), Suarez (90')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Team News: Ousmane Dembele starts on Barcelona bench

Barcelona's record signing Ousmane Dembele starts on the bench for the visit of Espanyol in the Catalan derby.

Barcelona's record signing Ousmane Dembele has been named on the bench for the visit of Espanyol in the Catalan derby this evening.

The 20-year-old moved to Camp Nou in a £135.5m deal from Borussia Dortmund last month but is made to wait for his debut this evening as Ernesto Valverde continues with Gerard Deulofeu up front.

Luis Suarez comes back into the fold after recovering from a knee injury, with Aleix Vidal making way, as the Uruguayan joins Deulofeu and Lionel Messi in the front line.

Andres Iniesta starts despite speculation that he could be rested in favour of Paulinho, while Ivan Rakitic overcomes a muscular problem to keep his place in the midfield alongside Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.

Valverde makes only one other change following the 2-0 victory at Alaves before the international break, bringing in Nelson Semedo at right-back as Sergi Roberto misses out.

Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti continue to marshal the heart of the defence, Jordi Alba stays put at left-back and Marc-Andre ter Stegen is in goal.

As for the visitors, former Watford manager Quique Flores makes four changes following the loss to minnows Leganes last time out.

Gerard and Leo Baptistao start up front, while veteran forward Sergio Garcia starts the game on the bench.

Pablo Piatti and Javi Fuego keep their places in the midfield and are joined by Pape Diop and Sergi Darder, in for Jose Manuel Jurado and Marcos Gullon.

There are also two changes in the back four, with Mario Hermoso and a fit-again Victor Sanchez joining David Lopez and Aaron as Naldo drops to the bench and Pedro Rios misses out.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Suarez, Messi, Deulofeu
Subs: Cillessen, Dembele, Mascherano, Paulinho, Alcacer, Digne, Andre Gomes

Espanyol: Pau; Victor Sanchez, David Lopez, Hermoso, Aaron; Diop, Darder, Fuego, Piatti; Gerard, Baptistao
Subs: D Lopez, Navarro, Naldo, S Garcia, Jurado, Didac, M Roca

Keep up with every twist and turn of the action from Camp Nou this evening with Sports Mole's live text commentary here.

ID:306864: cacheID:306864:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6151:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona applauds as he leaves the pitch during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RC Deportivo La Coruna at Camp Nou on May 23, 2015
Read Next:
Xavi criticises Barcelona's transfer spending
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2Barcelona33227468392973
3GironaGirona33225669402971
4Atletico MadridAtletico33204962392364
5Athletic Bilbao331610753332058
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis33121384139249
8Valencia33138123738-147
9Villarreal33129125455-145
10Getafe331013104145-443
11Osasuna33116163749-1239
12AlavesAlaves33108153138-738
13Sevilla33911134246-438
14Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
15Rayo Vallecano33713132742-1534
16Mallorca33614132739-1232
17Celta Vigo33710163750-1331
18CadizCadiz33414152346-2326
19Granada3349203661-2521
RAlmeria33111213267-3514


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!