Team News: Ronald Koeman opts for defensive XI against Atletico Madrid

Under-fire Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has selected a defensive side for Saturday night's La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano.

Jordi Alba has returned from injury to make the squad, but the Spain international is only on the bench, with Sergio Dest set to operate at left-back for the Catalan giants.

Memphis Depay and Philippe Coutinho will both feature in the final third of the field, but it looks to a four-man midfield, with Nico Gonzalez and Gavi joined by Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong.

A strong bench includes fit-again Ansu Fati and on-loan striker Luuk de Jong, with Koeman opting for a cautious approach against the reigning Spanish champions.

The visitors remain without the services of Ousmane Dembele, Sergio Aguero, Alejandro Balde and Martin Braithwaite through injury, while Pedri was ruled out of the match on Friday.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted that Koeman will not be sacked as head coach regardless of the result at Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday night.

Full Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Mingueza, Araujo, Pique, Dest; Nico, Busquets, F de Jong, Gavi; Coutinho; Memphis