The rotations FC Barcelona will make against Granada
Ter Stegen's presence between the sticks seems set, like that of Mascherano, who is well rested
The first XI Luis Enrique will pick on Sunday already has two big absences. Pique, left behind and Lionel Messi, banned
Barcelona’s clash with Granada could be a tricky encounter where the team has a lot to lose and little to gain. The important thing is taking the three points, the rest is a headache. Any set-back in the form of an injury to an important player would be a debacle, ahead of the atrocious calendar that awaits Barcelona in April. Sevilla, Juventus (twice) and Real Madrid, in little more than 21 days.
The first XI Luis Enrique will pick on Sunday already has two big absences. Pique, left behind and Lionel Messi, banned, will play at Granada. Two absences that the coach will have to replace with players who aren’t usually accustomed to doing those roles, as they are virtually irreplaceable.
For Pique, the coach must choose between Mathieu and Alba, depending on the system used by Luis Enrique, and for Messi, Denis Suarez, Rakitic or even Iniesta could play in the attacking midfield position he has in the 3-4-3. Or if it’s 4-3-3 it could be Rafinha on the right wing.
Ter Stegen’s presence between the sticks seems set, like that of Mascherano, who is well rested after not playing in Argentina’s last game because of suspension. Sergi Roberto may feature as the right midfielder in the 3-4-3 or right-back if Barcelona go back to 4-3-3.
Sergio Busquets will also start, above all because he will be rested in Turin as he is suspended for that clash.
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