Luis Suarez to return to Barça side for Champions League game vs. Dortmund
The Uruguayan was out for nearly a month with a calf injury
"He could be in the team," Ernesto Valverde said on Monday in reference to Luis Suarez coming back into the Barcelona team as he looks to end his Champions League away day blues. It's been four years and 18 games on the road since the Uruguayan found the net away from Camp Nou in Europe's top competition.
Suarez's presence in the starting lineup against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday would be the big news. He returned from injury as a second-half substitute against Valencia on Saturday, scoring a double. He's likely to be joined by Antoine Griezmann on the left and Carles Perez on the right.
The ex-Liverpool striker was injured in the opening game of La Liga at San Mames against Athletic Club. He will return to the XI in Germany, with Ansu Fati likely to miss out from the start.
Valverde wants to protect the 16-year-old, who is drawing huge media attention after scoring two goals in his first three appearances. The coach took him off early in the second half against Valencia on Saturday -- he had already scored and assisted -- as he said his body was feeling the stress.
Another player who will start on the bench, save any surprises, will be Lionel Messi, who has been cleared fit and traveled to Dortmund with the team. He has not yet played this season.
THE TEAM
Valverde's likely to go: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Busquets, De Jong, Arthur, Perez, Suarez, Griezmann. Sergi Roberto and Arturo Vidal are also possible picks against a good Dortmund side.
It will be Valverde's 23rd Champions League game as Barça coach. So far, his record reads: 14 wins, six draws and two losses (Roma and Liverpool), with 43 goals scored and 16 conceded.
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