MX23RW : Saturday, April 27 14:46:02| >> :120:13358:13358:
[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
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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 Madrid33266171224984
2GironaGirona33225669402971
3Barcelona32217464372770
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


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