Sergio Busquets's absence will need the midfield to be reinvented
Valverde will rest Busquets against Leganes ahead of the Roma game
Sergio Busquets is virtually irreplaceable. A key piece of Ernesto Valverde's (well, and Luis Enrique, and Tito Vilanova, and Pep Guardiola and Tata Martino's) midfield, who helps it function correctly and in sync. So when there's any kind of injury scare for him, the alarm bells sound.
Busquets fractured a toe in his right foot and missed the game against Athletic, then the two Spain friendlies. Valverde used Rakitic in his position but it didn't work well against Sevilla. However he might return to it against Leganes, but Rakitic has played a lot of games and that match seems as good as any to give him a rest.
Here are the ways the midfield could work...
1. Rakitic (if he doesn't rest)-Paulinho-Coutinho:
This is Valverde's most comfortable option, with the least experimentation.
2. André Gomes-Paulinho-Coutinho:
Valverde does like Andre Gomes. The Portuguese could operate as a pivote.
3. André Gomes-Denis-Coutinho:
It seems unlikely that Valverde won't play Paulinho after he only featured for 25 minutes in the Champions League. However Denis Suarez has returned to the team recently and is doing well.
4. Iniesta-Coutinho-André Gomes:
After playing 84 minutes for the first time since February 20, it's hard to see Iniesta starting again here, especially after playing 80 mins against Sevilla last weekend too.
5. Denis-Coutinho-Paulinho:
This doesn't seem particularly likely either. A double pivote with Denis and Paulinho with Coutinho ahead of them. Valverde is not that keen on experiments.
