Paco Alcacer and Thomas Vermaelen Left Out Barcelona Squad to Face Sporting CP while Nelson Semedo and Gerard Deulofeu Return to the Team

Nelson Semedo and Gerard Deulofeu have been included in Barcelona's 20-man travelling squad to face Sporting Clube de Portugal on Wednesday night (27 September) after the two summer signings were rested during Saturday's 3-0 victory at Girona.

Ernesto Valverde has also promoted goalkeeper Adria Ortola from the second team but Paco Alcacer, Thomas Vermaelen and Arda Turan have been left out alongside long-term injury duo Rafinha Alcantara and Ousmane Dembele.

Semedo and Deulofeu have played important roles for Valverde since completing their respective moves from Benfica and Everton during the summer transfer window.

The Barcelona boss decided to give then a much-needed rest against Girona ahead of a busy week which will see the Catalans visiting Sporting in the Champions League before a La Liga encounter with UD Las Palmas next Sunday.

However, both Semedo and Deulofeu are back and will be fresh to face Sporting and could recover their places in Valverde's starting XI.

Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets were also benched on the weekend but the Spanish duo are also in the squad and should start alongside Lionel Messi and Co when Barcelona visit the Jose Alvalade Stadium on Wednesday night.

Vermaelen and Turan remain exiled as the out-of-favour duo are yet to play a single minute in the opening part of the season. Meanwhile, Alcacer has also been left-out with the striker having also played a peripheral role since Valverde took over from Luis Enrique in the summer.

"Nelson Semedo and Gerard Deulofeu return to the side after missing the trip to Girona and there is also room for Barça B goalkeeper Adrián Ortolá, who has been given the medical all-clear," Barcelona confirmed via the club website.

"There are no places for Vermaelen, Arda Turan or Alcácer, while Rafinha and Dembélé are still out through injury."

Credit - IBTimes

Comments

Roma Midfielder Signs New Deal with Italian Club

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has signed a new four-year contract with the Serie A club. The 29-year-old Belgium international had been linked with Manchester United in Italian media, while Chelsea were also reported to be interested. This was coupled by suggestions that Nainggolan was growing impatient with the numerous delays in receiving a contract proposal from the capital club. However, the 29-year-old has put any doubts about his future to bed by extending his contract until 2021, in a deal that will see him earn €4.5 million per season, including bonuses, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I think I have demonstrated that this is what I always wanted," Nainggolan said. "I'm very happy that the club and I can continue our adventure and move forward together." Nainggolan has played 161 times for Roma since joining from Cagliari in 2014. Nainggolan becomes the third senior central midfielder to extend their contract at Roma th...

Alexis Sanchez is just what Manchester United Need, Says Fortmer Tottenham Manager

The signing of a proven world-class forward such as Alexis Sanchez is just what Manchester United need to compete for the biggest prizes, former Tottenham manager Gerry Francis has said. Sanchez, 29, joined United on a four-and-a-half-year contract from Arsenal on Monday, 22 January, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving in the opposite direction in a straight-swap deal. "Sanchez is a real goal-scorer, he's talented and he's aggressive around the box and he makes things happen, he can pull teams through," he told Sky Sports.Francis described the Chilean forward as a match-winner who will aid United in their quest to win silverware by adding some much-needed potency to their attack. "It's [about] the present, you're looking to win trophies and looking to win competitions and, sometimes, you need to buy and have the finished article and Sanchez is certainly that. "It just makes them as a squad that much stronger. Certainly, a much bigger goal-threat with Sa...

Tiemoue Bakayoko is a Better Player than Nathaniel Chalobah, Insists Antonio Conte

Antonio Conte has been forced to defend his Chelsea transfer policy after replacing homegrown youngster Nathaniel Chalobah with the £40million signing of Tiemoue Bakayoko. The Blues have long been criticised for favouring big-name and big-money transfers over promoting their own youth talent, and the purchase of Bakayoko whilst selling Chalobah looks to be the latest example. Chalobah, 22, played 15 games for Chelsea last season but struggled to hold down a regular place in the side before a £5m move to Watford this summer. Conte, however, insists that Bakayoko is a major upgrade given his experience of winning major honours and competing in the biggest competitions such as the Champions League. ‘I think, honestly, at this moment there is a great difference between the two players,’ Conte said. ‘You are talking about one player who has played with Monaco, who has maybe 100 appearances for that club. ‘He has played in the Champions League and has played regularly. ...

Plauseorminus

Search This Blog