Xavi turns to La Masia for Shakhtar with just 12 first team players available
Barcelona are without seven players due to injuries and suspensions
Xavi Hernandez's Barcelona have a crucial Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk this week (Wednesday 25 October, 6.45pm, Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys) which, if they win, would put them a foot and a half in the last 16.
However, the Barça coach only has 12 players available with first-team registrations as he has not yet recovered any of the players who are in the infirmary and he has an added problem with Gavi suspended.
Jules Koundé, Pedri, Sergi Roberto, Frenkie de Jong, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha are all out through injury, while Gavi misses out after he was red-carded in Porto in the last game.
So, once again, Xavi will have to call on the youngest players to face the European commitment. In addition to the usual Lamine Yamal and Fermín -- and Astralaga as the third goalkeeper -- and Marc Guiu, the hero against Athletic, Marc Casadó, Héctor Fort, Aleix Garrido and Pau Cubarsí have also been included in the squad.
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