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Attendance: 22,519
Celta Vigo logo
La Liga | Gameweek 36
May 4, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

2-0

Gomez (67'), Aspas (88' pen.)
FT(HT: 0-0)

Lionel Messi among eight Barcelona players rested for Celta clash

Lionel Messi among eight Barcelona players rested for Celta clash
© Reuters
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are among the first-team regulars who will be rested.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde insists his team are not taking Celta Vigo lightly, despite his decision to rest eight senior players for Saturday's away match.

Barca have already secured the LaLiga title and are on the brink of a place in the Champions League final as well as preparing for the final of the Copa del Rey.

Lionel Messi will be rested at Celta, along with Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

However Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele, Arturo Vidal, Arthur and keeper Jasper Cillessen are among those expected to feature.

According to Marca, Valverde said: "We're treating this game the same as the others.

"We're going to try to get three points. We've put in lots of effort in the last three weeks and we're going to make changes because it's necessary to.

"It's clear that we got a good result (in the 3-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg victory over Liverpool) but the tie isn't over, far from it.

Lionel Messi, who scored twice in the Champions League win over Liverpool, will not play against Celta Vigo
Lionel Messi, who scored twice in the Champions League win over Liverpool, will not play against Celta Vigo (Emilio Morenatti/AP).

"We know this because we watch Liverpool regularly, we know what they're capable of.

"Although there will be time to worry about (Liverpool), I know we can't lose focus on the tie, but now we have to concentrate on (Celta).

"I could use (Cillessen) in these games. Each time there's a possibility, he's played a match, like he didn't last year. We're happy with him, he's a great goalkeeper and I know that the goalkeeper position is very special."

Holland international Jasper Cillessen is in line to start in goal for Barcelona
Holland international Jasper Cillessen is in line to start in goal for Barcelona (Nigel French/PA).

Valverde also reminded his team that their past three visits to Celta have resulted in two defeats and a draw, adding: "We lost here last year.

"We made changes in the league and cup, I remember. It's the first opportunity to change the dynamic."

Celta manager Fran Escriba has taken encouragement from Barca's team selection, telling his club's official website: "We are aware that Rakitic and Busquets are not coming due to a suspension. It's a good opportunity for us because we believe we can beat any team."

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Ousmane Dembele in action for Barcelona on December 2, 2018
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico20135234132144
2Real Madrid19134243192443
3Barcelona20123552232939
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal198653431330
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad198471713428
8GironaGirona208482827128
9Sevilla207582329-626
10Rayo Vallecano196762222025
11Real BetisBetis206772226-425
12Osasuna196762328-525
13Celta Vigo197392830-224
14Las PalmasLas Palmas196492429-522
15Leganes205781929-1022
16Getafe204881417-320
17AlavesAlaves2055102432-820
18Espanyol2054111932-1319
19Real ValladolidValladolid2043131439-2515
20Valencia1927101829-1113


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