Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique to Miss Barcelona Champions League Match against Olympiakos

Andres Iniesta will miss the Champions League trip to Olympiakos on Tuesday night with the Barcelona captain remaining on the sidelines alongside Arda Turan, Aleix Vidal, Ousmane Dembele and Rafinha Alcantara. Gerard Pique is also out due to suspension but Thomas Vermaelen and Javier Mascherano have returned to Ernesto Valverde's 20-man travelling squad after both centre-backs missed the 2-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday [28 October] due to injury and illness.

Furthermore, the Barcelona boss has also promoted goalkeeper Adrian Ortola and 19-year-old midfielder Carles Aleña from the second team to complete his squad.

"For this match, the Barça coach will not be able to count on the suspended Gerard Piqué or the injured Ousmane Dembélé, Rafinha, Aleix Vidal, Arda and Iniesta" the Catalans confirmed in the club official website.

"However, Vermaelen's medical discharge has been received and Mascherano (without medical discharge) travels, as do two players from Barça B, Ortolá and Aleñá."

Iniesta missed the weekend victory over Athletic where goals from Lionel Messi and Paulinho gave Barcelona all three points to remain at the top of La Liga table, four points ahead of Valencia eight over Real Madrid, who lost at Girona.

The captain suffered an injury to his left thigh before the game and it is still uncertain whether he will recover in time for the crucial visit of Sevilla on Saturday (4 November).

Meanwhile, the return of Vermaelen and Mascherano will be especially welcomed by Valverde in the absence of Pique after red card during the 3-1 victory over Olympiakos at the Nou Camp in the first group game played between the sides on 18 October.

Barcelona, who have won their previous three games in the Champions League, will progress to the last 16 if the beat the Greek side and Sporting Lisbon fail to beat Juventus in the other clash in Group D. They will also qualify if they draw and Juve win in the Portuguese capital.

Valverde is expected to make some changes in his line-up at the Karaiskakis Stadium ahead of the clash with Sevilla.

Source - 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