PBP: J34 - La Liga 18/19 | Alavés v FC Barcelona | 23 April 2019 [R]

I will be very curious, when the squad list comes out, to see if we leave out any of the usual starters, or the usual 14 who usually see game time: MAtS, Roberto/Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur & Vidal; Messi, Suarez, Dembele & Coutinho?

The weekend game is much closer in time to the Liverpool game, so I think we will see far more players rested then, similar to the Huesca match. But I still think it could be great to give a couple of the usual starters this game off. And by not putting them in the squad list they could also avoid the travel. But more likely we see a squad list just like we saw for La Real, and a similar lineup, where we hopefully win without injuries again.

 

It would be nice to see Messi & Suarez get some rest, but not expecting them or any of the 14 to be excluded.

 

So the only one of the regulars omitted is Rakitic. The biggest addition is Vermaelen who got medically cleared. With three left footed CBs in the squad I wonder if we might see two of them partner at CB or one of them give Alba some rest?

Sport talks about the rotation question and basically says they don't expect much rotation against Alaves but do expect a good amount of rotation on Saturday: https://www.sport-english.com/en/ne...r-liverpool-champions-league-showdown-7418023

TIME FOR LIVERPOOL

Things are different this time because the Alaves game comes over a week before the Liverpool game Barça still have to play Levante before then at Camp Nou on Saturday, too. Valverde, is he acts as he has done so far, will pick a strong team to the game at Mendizorroza with the idea of earning three points. Logic invited the thought that he will pick a strong squad, but it wouldn't be a complete surprise if some players are rested. Changes will be minimal, but there could be some breaks.

LEVANTE ROTATIONS

Beating Alaves is vital so that, against Levante, players can rest ahead of Liverpool's Camp Nou visit on May 1. It would be the ideal stage to make some changes before the game against the English side. In fact, for Valverde it was vital to get three points against Real Sociedad at the weekend to keep his plan intact. The Huesca plan could come back into force against Levante if the Catalans return from Vitoria with three points. Valverde could rest the likes of Messi, Suarez, Rakitic and Jordi Alba, who will be vital against Jurgen Klopps's side in Europe. With La Liga won, save the maths, the absolute priority is the Champions League, that "beautiful, much-desired trophy" which everyone at the club wants to get their hands on.

 

My best guess is a strong squad but with a few starters rested:

Defense: Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba. Only Semedo is rested. Wouldn't mind giving Lenglet a game off and playing Umtiti next to Pique to get him in better game shape in case he is needed.

Mids: We know Rakitic is getting a rare game off as he is not in the squad. I assume Vidal will start in Rakitic's place. Love to see Arthur rested too (and Alena get a start), but I he will start and play about 60 minutes. Vidal, Busquets, Arthur start.

Forwards: I still want Dembele to get more PT to get in better gameshape, so I'd start him with Messi and Suarez. Coutinho on as a sub.

ter Stegen
Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba
Vidal, Busquets, Arthur
Messi, Suarez, Dembele
​

Many more subs on Saturday, when we are hopefully just one win away with 4 games to play so we can afford major rotation before Liverpool.

 

Sport prediction messes up Pique's and Lenglet's sides, and gives Arthur and Dembele a rest as well (Alena and Coutinho starting), otherwise what i predicted

 

OFFICIAL:

Ter Stegen
N. Semedo - Piqué - Umtiti - S. Roberto
Vidal - Sergio - Aleñá
O. Dembélé - Suárez - Coutinho
​

Rested Messi, Arthur, Rakitic (not even in squad), Alba, Lenglet; rest of bench is Malcom, Vermaelen, and Cillessen.

Not sure who starts on which side of the fullbacks, attacking mids, and wingers. Probably want Semedo and Dembele on opposite sides so there is a speed danger on both wings.

 

Nice lineup and good rest for others.

 

badass bench:
Cillessen, Arthur, Messi, Malcom, Lenglet, Jordi Alba & Vermaelen.

 

Two nice chance's, need to capitalize.

 

Come on Suarez, we want title wrapped up asap

 

Most obvious handball of alltime, corrupt ref confirmed.

 

Shouldn't VAR act on red card offences?

 

I thought if it is clear and obvious error by ref VAR is supposed to bring it to his attention .

 

Craperto shiting it on both sides.