Valverde confirms Thomas Vermaelen will start at Valencia for Barça
The Belgian will make his first La Liga start of the season
Mascherano is injured and Pique is suspended
Ernesto Valverde doesn't like to give clues away in press conference but he has confirmed that Thomas Vermaelen will start at Valencia on Sunday.
It's not a huge surprise, with Gerard Pique (suspended) and Javier Mascherano (injured) both missing.
However, Valverde wanted to stop the speculation about Lucas Digne or David Costas starting with Samuel Umtiti at Mestall.
"Everyone thinks it’s strange to play two left-footed centre-backs, but when you play with two right-footed defenders, it seems completely normal," he said.
"Both Umtiti and Vermaelen are internationals and I have faith in them both. Tomorrow is an important game.
"David Costas will come with us from Barca B, too. We’re covered. Costa has experience in the top flight. He’s different to what we have, but he can help us in cases of emergency."
