Saturday, 7 April 2018 20:25 BARCELONA TIME Camp Nou BARCELONA Previous Meetings SLL 19-11-2017 FT Leganes 0 : 3 Barcelona SLL 20-02-2017 FT Barcelona 2 : 1 Leganes SLL 17-09-2016 FT Leganes 1 : 5 Barcelona VISCAELBARCA
I see a midfield of Rakitic paulinho Coutinho and dembele on the wings with Messi and alcacer. Messi should play this game and rest against Roma, second leg. I see Suarez more faded and fatigued but this game is for him to play.
On Thursday the squad trained without Busi, Alba, Messi, and Suarez and I tried to project a lineup without all of them (hard at LB with Digne also injured). But since then all but Busi are back in practice, Busi and Digne won't play, rest of the squad should be available. Goalkeepers: 1. Marc-André ter Stegen, 13. Jasper Cillessen Defenders: 2. Nélson Semedo, 3. Gerard Piqué, 18. Jordi Alba, 20. Sergi Roberto, 23. Samuel Umtiti, 25. Thomas Vermaelen Midfielders: 4. Ivan Rakitic, 6. Denis Suarez, 8. Andrés Iniesta, 14. Philippe Coutinho, 15. Paulinho Bezerra, 21. André Gomes Forwards: 9. Luis Suárez, 10. Lionel Messi, 11. Ousmane Dembélé, 17. Paco Alcácer Stands-Vidal, Mina, Busi - injured, Digne - injured. Lineup prediction in 442 format: MAtS Semedo-Pique-Umtiti-Alba Dembele-Roberto-Raki-Coutinho Messi-Suarez If we did not have such a comfy lead v. Roma I'd expect more rest and rotation (which we still might see). I'd love to see Denis and Paco and Verm get starts here or v. Roma, but I think equaling the La Real streak of 38 games unbeaten does matter, and we do have a big lead versus Roma, and Luis and Leo both want to score more, etc. So I think we see a strong side. Really hope Semedo gets another start as that lets Roberto support Raki in the pivot, but could also see Gomes or Lord P get the call there (and Roberto back at RB).
Substitutes: 13. Cillessen 6. Denis Suárez 8. A. Iniesta 15. Paulinho 17. Paco Alcácer 18. Jordi Alba 23. Umtiti Leganés: Cuéllar, Bustinza, Amrabat, Gabriel, El Zhar, Raúl García, Eraso, Zaldua, Rubén Pérez, Siovas, Omar Ramos. Some more rotation than I predicted but all or almost all very welcome. Love Semedo starting again, love Vermaelen getting a start and Umtiti getting a breather. Love Roberto in midfield, though to be honest, he could be playing LB today (Alba rested and Digne injured), or we see a 3 man back? Or can Semedo play LB? More likely to see Roberto there I think. So Gomes supports Raki at DM and Coutinho plays Ini role and Dembele a hybrid Rt mid / RW. MAtS Semedo-PK-Verm-Roberto Dembele-Gomes-Raki-Couti Messi-Suarez Visca! Could take so many forms, here's a radical one: MAtS Semedo-PK-Verm Gomes-Raki Dembele-Couti-Roberto Messi-Suarez
i think Valverde specifically mentioned Roberto as an option at LB in the pre match press conference. so probably this one.
Usually shit nurtures lawns, maybe thats why they play him now and then to keep the pitch in good shape.
I am viewing it online. The English version was showing motorcycle racing. Had to tune into the Spanish. Not sure what's up with that.
Messi wants that Golden Boot and the Ballon too (though the latter may come down more to CL and World Cup). EDIT - Salah - leads at 29 but injured for the moment, Messi now on 28, was tied on 26 with Lewa and Ciro Immobile before today's game (Lewa did not even play today with Sevilla looming; Ciro's Lazio are hosted by Udinese tomorrow). Jonas of Benfica would lead all but his 33 only count for 1.5x instead of the 2x of the big 5 leagues.
Messi's Free Kick goal means he equals Ronaldinho's record for most Free Kick goals scored in a La Liga season. (6 goals).
Goalkeeper may have given Messi too much to look at on the FK. He was standing way over by the far post.
yeah ended up watching in the end , was 5 minutes before kick off and i said well i'll watch for 10 minutes to see how shitmes was affecting the team synergy , thankfully coutinho took charge of that left side and i like the speed of the right side ( semedo+dembele ) and of course .. as usual ... Messi