Team News: Philippe Coutinho makes first Barcelona start against Alaves

Philippe Coutinho has been handed his first start for Barcelona in Sunday's La Liga meeting with Alaves at Camp Nou.

The January signing from Liverpool made his Blaugrana debut as a substitute in the midweek 2-0 win over Espanyol in the Copa del Rey.

Ernesto Valverde has now opted to draft Coutinho into the starting XI alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez for the Brazilian's first Barca appearance in the Spanish top flight, which sees the Catalans up against the struggling Basques.

Lucas Digne is picked at left-back as Jordi Alba starts on the bench, while Ivan Rakitic is selected ahead of Sergio Busquets in central midfield and Ruben Semedo is given the nod over Sergi Roberto at right-back.

Alaves, meanwhile, have placed Barca loanee Munir El Haddadi on the bench, with Celta Vigo man John Guidetti tasked by head coach Abelardo Fernandez to lead the line.

Defender Rodrigo Ely is currently suspended, giving Guillermo Maripan the chance to start at centre-back, while there is also a spot in the XI for midfielder Mubarak Wakaso.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Digne; Rakitic, Iniesta, Paulinho; Messi, Suarez, Coutinho Subs: Cillessen, Sergio, Alcacer, Alba, Roberto, Vidal, Mina

Alaves: Pacheco; Duarte, Laguardia, Maripan, Ruano; Mubarak, Medran, Pedraza, Gomez; Sobrino, Guidetti Subs: Sivera, Martin, Vigaray, Pedraza, Munir, Dieguez, Demirovic

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