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

Juventus Manager Allegri Signs Contract Extension Untill 2020

Massimiliano Allegri has signed a new contract with Juventus, keeping him with the Serie A side until 2020, the Turin outfit have confirmed. The 49-year-old will remain at Juventus Stadium for another three seasons, having guided the Old Lady to a third successive domestic double. Allegri helped Juve win the Serie A and Copa Italia titles this season, and guided them to the Champions League final. Since taking over at Juventus Stadium in 2014, he has won the domestic double each season and has a 69 per cent winning rate. The former midfielder had been linked with a move to Arsenal before Arsene Wenger agreed a new two-year deal, but will now remain in Turin until the end of the 2019-20 season. In a statement, Juventus said: "Juventus is pleased to announce that Massimiliano Allegri has signed a contract renewal at the club until 2020. "Today's agreement extends a working relationship that has seen the Bianconeri consolidate their position as Italy's...

Real Madrid Left Back Marcelo Ruled Out for One Month while Toni Kroos will Miss Real Madrid's trip to Alaves

Real Madrid star Toni Kroos is set join Marcelo in the treatment room when Los Blancos visit Alaves on Saturday (23 September) after suffering a rib injury. The news is a fresh concern for Zinedine Zidane as Karim Benzema, Theo Hernandez, Jesus Vallejo and Mateo Kovacic are also ruled out for the visit to Mendizorroza due to various injuries. Kroos, 27, missed the last weekend's 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad due to a fitness problem. The Germany international returned to Zidane's starting line-up for Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Real Betis and was able to complete the full 90 minutes. However, it looks like Kroos suffered a recurrence of the problem in that game after Real Madrid revealed on Friday morning that the midfielder skipped the final training session before Los Blancos' trip to Vitoria. Zidane himself later confirmed the blow in a press conference, adding that he expects the midfielder to recover in time for the crucial Champions League trip t...

Tottenham Close to Completing £23m Serge Aurier Transfer

Tottenham are closing in on a £23million move for Paris Saint-Germain defender Serge Aurier. The Ivory Coast international has been free to leave the French giants following the arrival of Dani Alves to the club. Aurier, 24, has been heavily linked with Manchester United and Chelsea but Spurs have shown the firmest interest in the right-back. Mauricio Pochettino sanctioned Kyle Walker’s £50million move to Manchester City on the basis that Kieran Trippier had shown he was a worthy replacement towards the end of last season. However, the Argentine wants greater strength in depth and the Evening Standard claim Spurs are close to a £23m deal and Aurier will sign a five-year deal. Aurier was denied entry into the UK last October for Paris Saint-Germain’s clash with Arsenal because he was found guilty of elbowing a police offer a month earlier. The ban is still in place but Aurier is currently contesting the charge and Spurs are clearly confident that he will win his case....

Plauseorminus

Search This Blog