Exclusive: Sergio Busquets will start for Barça against Atletico

Exclusive: Sergio Busquets will start for Barça against Atletico

The midfielder will play from the off, as will Pique, while Iniesta is likely to be on the bench

Luis Enrique will have good news ahead of the Copa del Rey game against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday: the recoveries of Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta. Three key pieces of the team, especially when it comes to playing a side like Diego Simeone's Atletico, who prioritise intensity and fighting spirit above playing. 

In principle, Lucho plans to use all three on Tuesday. Don't forget that this is one of the season's most important games so far as it comes with a ticket to a final. 

Therefore, Gerard Pique will be in the line-up which steps out on to the Camp Nou pitch, given his substitution as half-time against Athletic Bilbao was more of a precuation because of a pain in his thigh. On Sunday he didn't train and on Monday he's expected to join the rest of his team-mates without any problems. 

Sergio Busquets should also be in the side after recovering from sprained ankle ligaments suffered in the league game against Eibar on Jan. 22 after a shocking challenge from EscalanteThe midfielder has progressed well and everything suggests he will start against Atletico, which is without doubt good news for Luis Enrique. 

In Busquets' absence, neither Ivan Rakitic nor Andre Gomes have made a firm case they can play there, although Javier Mascherano did do a good job. 

The third player Luis Enrique will recover for the game will be Andres Iniesta. The club captain, in principle, was expected to return against PSG one week later, but his quick recovery from a calf injury has cut his time out down and he will be in the squad against Atletico. 

However, in his case it seems he will start on the bench and will only come on if Luis Enrique feels he's in need of a 'plus' in the middle of the pitch.

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