La Liga 2016-17: Barcelona squad to face Atletico Madrid announced, Samuel Umtiti ruled out with knee injury
Barcelona take on Atletico Madrid tonight in the La Liga as the two sides will look to prove a point with this being the first real test of the new season. Both the clubs have started the season with a few hiccups as Atletico played two consecutive draws and Barcelona lost to newly promoted Alaves in what will be the biggest upset in recent times.
Luis Enrique has released the squad that is going to face Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou and has left out the likes of Aleix Vidal, Rafinha and Jordi Masip. Samuel Umtiti is the major absentee as he has suffered a strain in knee ligament and will be out for the next two weeks. The new signing missed yesterday's training season after he started life in Spain on a high after impressing one and all by his performances.
Also Read: La Liga 2016-17: Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid combined XI
Ter Stegen and another new signing Jasper Cillessen are the two custodians with Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Mathieu, Lucas Digne, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto being the defenders selected for the all important clash against the Colchoneros. Sergio Busquets, Iniesta, Arda Turan, Ivan Rakitic, Dennis Suarez and Andre Gomes being the midfielders selected for the visit from Diego Simeone's men.
The trio of Messi, Suarez and Neymar will lead Barca's attack with Paco Alcacer being selected after arriving from Valencia in the summer. Roberto is said to play at right back with the pair of Pique and Mascherano set to start as Samuel Umititi has been ruled out with a knee injury.
Ter Stegen will play in La Liga this season after Claudio Bravo’s departure to Man City and Luis Suarez will look to continue his fine run along with Lionel Messi who scored a delightful hattrick against Leganes.
On tonight's opposition, Enrique said in his press conference, "They look like they're practically the same team that was so successful in the last few years, especially the way they defend and in other aspects of play like transition game, counterattack."
He continued on Atletico, “They're very solid, they play great defensively. They're capable of creating pressure up high. And defensively they're probably the best team and that's how complex it is to beat them. That's indicative of the work they do. "