MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 18:13:31| >> :120:13244:13244:
[monks data]
Attendance: 47,775
Valencia logo
La Liga
Nov 26, 2017 at 7.45pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

1-1

Rodrigo (60')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Alba (82')

Team News: Lionel Messi restored to Barcelona starting XI ahead of Valencia trip

Team News: Messi restored to Barca XI at Valencia
© SilverHub
Lionel Messi returns to the Barcelona starting XI after being rested in midweek as Ernesto Valverde's charges take on Valencia at the Mestalla in La Liga.

Lionel Messi has returned to the Barcelona starting XI after being rested in midweek as Ernesto Valverde's charges take on Valencia at the Mestalla.

The Argentine forward, who signed a new Blaugrana contract on Saturday, was on the substitutes' bench for Wednesday's goalless draw against Juventus in the Champions League.

Former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen makes his first league start of the campaign for Barca due to a suspension for Gerard Pique.

Paulinho is chosen ahead of Gerard Deulofeu as head coach Valverde looks to pack his midfield against La Liga's second-placed side.

Valencia, meanwhile, make four changes from the one that started last weekend's 2-0 win at Espanyol.

Ezequiel Garay comes into the centre of defence alongside Gabriel Paulista, while Jose Gaya drops from a midfield role back into left-back.

Carlos Soler and Goncalo Guedes are also introduced in the wide areas, while Simone Zaza replaces Santi Mina alongside Rodrigo in the final third.

Valencia: Neto; Gaya, Garay, Gabriel, Montoya; Kondogbia, Parejo, Soler, Guedes; Rodrigo, Zaza
Subs: Jaume, Vezo, Pereira, Mina, Latorre, Vidal, Gil

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Alba, Umtiti, Vermaelen; Paulinho, Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; L. Suarez, Messi
Subs: Subs: Cillessen, D. Suarez, Deulofeu, Alcacer, Digne, Vidal, Costas

Follow all the action from the Mestalla with Sports Mole's live match commentary.

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Gerard Pique in action for Barcelona on October 19, 2016
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal157532725226
7Osasuna176742225-325
8Real Sociedad167361611524
9GironaGirona176472325-222
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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