PBP: Jornada 1 | La Liga BBVA 15/16 | Athletic Bilbao v FC Barcelona | 23 August 2015 [R]

not sure about Neymar, but Alba looks like he might be available.

 

Alba gets cleared so I believe we have Pique and Mathieu suspended, Douglas and Neymar injured and I'll go with something like this:
Bravo
Alves-Bartra-Masch-Alba
Raki-Busq-Ini
Messi-Suarez-Rafinha

 

Forgot to mention that once again Adriano seems to have a knock if memory serves, so really glad to have Alba cleared as otherwise it was either a 3 man backline or the debut of Verm at left back when he has only played a handful of preseason games for us and never as an LB. That or Grimaldo from Barca B would be needed but he's already been called up for Barca B's match.

 

I would like to see Vermaelen instead of Bartra. I don't trust Bartra anymore beside Verm had better preseason.

 

So Gumbau in and Samper dropped!! Anyone knows what going on with Samper and why Enrique don't value him?!

Squad (vs Athletic): Ter Stegen, Bravo, Alves, Bartra, Mascherano, Vermaelen, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Sergi Roberto, Gumbau, Camara, Rafinha, Munir, Messi, Suarez, Sandro

Official: Sandro will from now on wear shirt number "19" (instead of 16), B players Gumbau and Camara will wear "28" and "27" #fcblive

 

Not that I know, but maybe Lucho simply thinks that Samper is not at the level that his contribution would benefit the first team, and being in the first team would mean so minor minutes that it wouldn't be the best for his growth. He is 20 so has a lot of time to deliver in the high level, but currently he can't beat the competition. There's Busquets way above him, and Masch as well, and probably he isn't good enough to be even the 3rd choice DM.

I'm a little surprised if he is not loaned to somewhere, though, as Barca B got relegated and playing against third tier opponents is a bit iffy if he wants to make it to Barca's first team anytime soon.

 

I kinda agree.

I think Bartra is in a sort of crossroads situation with his career, both in level and in club. Like, is he going to be a really really good CB soon or just a mediocre, and is he going to stay in Barca or not. Very important season for him regarding the last question. But currently I think he's our 5th best CB only. Hopefully he has a very strong season.

 

It is not as though Gumbau and Camara are expected to get any minutes, so who really cares if Samper was not called up. No one is giving up on Samper but Barca B does need good players, esp. if they are going to get back to the top Segunda again.

 

official:

---rafinha----suarez-----messi---
----------iniesta----rakitic--------
alba-----------sergio---------dani
-------vermaelen--masche-------
----------------bravo---------------

bench:
Ter Stegen, Bartra, Gumbau, Sergi Roberto, Camara, Munir, Sandro

 

Revenge will be ours!! We'll win this 2-1!!

 

And Phil and Ray are calling the game..even better news!!

 

If you have a stream please PM me, I'm getting choppy Phil or OK french commentary.

 

Ohh no, please no Sergio Craperto... Alves get back in there.

 

Well Lucho should put in Bartra but you know how that idiot thinks , putting a midfielder as a RB ... sigh ...

 

D. Alves injured!! Sergi Roberto is on!!

 

Ahh shiiiiiite. Alves can't continue, Sergio is on and Barça gonna pull off another stinker. I DO not like that player.

 

It happened in front of him too... Blind as feck. Brings play back to there for what? Foul? Offside?

 

Pen!

 

Messi... saved