Door open for Ansu, Riqui & Araújo to join Barça B at later date

Barcelona coach Quique Setien explained the decision to keep Ansu Fati, Riqui Puig and Ronald Araujo with the first team despite the fact they have nothing to play for and Barça B have a big game on Sunday. 

Barça face Alaves away from home guaranteed to come second in La Liga, while Alaves confirmed their safety in the league in midweek, meaning the integrity of the competition is not in question. 

Meanwhile, Barça B play Valladolid Promesas in the playoffs as they bid to return to the second tier of Spanish football at the second time of asking. 

"This is a decision we have to think about," Setien said. "For Alaves, we only have 16 players and three outfield changes, so they have to come. It's in our interest that the B team get promoted, but the circumstances are what they are." 

If Barça B win, they would progress to the next round, when Ansu, Riqui and Araujo could, in theory, join up with them in Malaga, where the games are taking place. 

"They could play with the reserves but we have the Champions League coming up too and we have to be consistent," Setien added. 

"It's a decision that the club will take after speaking with everyone. In the game against Napoli (on Aug. 8), we also have a lot of players missing through suspension and injury and that has to be kept in mind because these kids have a chance of playing." 

The coach argued the risk of injury as the main reason for them not playing for Barça B in the playoffs at all: "A decision will have to be taken and we will have to deal with the consequences, with the possibility of injury in the future... We will do what's best for the club."