MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 03:37:53| >> :120:5582:5582:
[monks data]
Attendance: 56,480
Barcelona logo
La Liga
Aug 20, 2017 at 7.15pm UK
 
Real Betis logo

2-0

Tosca (36' og.), Roberto (39')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Team News: Gerard Deulofeu, Paco Alcacer partner Lionel Messi in attack

Team News: Deulofeu, Alcacer partner Messi in attack
© SilverHub
Ernesto Valverde opts to go with Gerard Deulofeu, Paco Alcacer and Lionel Messi in attack for his first league game in charge of Barcelona.

Gerard Deulofeu and Paco Alcacer have been given the nod to partner Lionel Messi in a threadbare Barcelona attack for their La Liga opener against Real Betis.

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde has seen his forward line decimated of late following the loss of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain and Luis Suarez's month-long layoff with a knee injury.

Valverde can still call upon star man Messi, who will start alongside returning academy product Deulofeu and ex-Valencia attacker Alcacer.

The backline has also been broken up somewhat, as Gerard Pique is only fit enough for a place on the bench due to a minor muscle injury, while Andres Iniesta misses out completely.

Nelson Semedo is handed a league debut at right-back, but fellow new recruit Paulinho is made to wait for his La Liga bow after joining from Guangzhou Evergrande earlier this week.

The visitors, without a win against Barcelona in 12 attempts, have a number of new arrivals in their squad, though ex-Barcelona ace Cristian Tello is absent through injury.

Victor Camarasa, Sergio Leon, Zouhair Feddal, Andres Guardado, Juan Jose Narvaez and Antonio Barragan all come in from the off for the Verderones, who are aiming to better last season's 12th-place finish in the Spanish top flight.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Mascherano, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Roberto; Messi, Deulofeu, Alcacer
Subs: Cillessen, Pique, Denis Suarez, Turan, Digne, Andre Gomes, Aleix Vidal

Real Betis: Adan; Barragan, Mandi, Feddal, Tosca; Guardado, Camarasa, Narvaez, Joaquin, Nahue; Sergio Leon
Subs: Gimenez, Jordi Amat, Durmisi, Javi Garcia, Fabian, Sanabria

Follow all of the action as it unfolds with Sports Mole's live text coverage right here.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913

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