Ernesto Valverde can not complain. The Barça reaches the peak of the season with all the staff available except the long-term injured Rafinha , there are no sanctions to receive the ‘reds’ and the occasion is well worth the eleven gala. There is a lot and good to choose from and there is only one big doubt: Coutinho and Dembélé play a place.04/30/2019Act. At 11:00 CEST
Valverde moves a lot by sensations and almost all of them lead the Brazilian right now. ‘Cou’ has more numbers to be a starter than Ousmane because he is in better shape and has the added, as former Liverpool, of the emotional factor. Now that he has regained confidence, not making him play would be a risk.
To this it is added that Dembélé has returned something irregular and lacking rhythm after the injury. The coach has given many minutes in the league and in the last two games, has coincided with Coutinho for the rest to Messi. The carioca was the most outstanding azulgrana in the first half against the Levante , only lacked the goal, and the substitution to the rest must be interpreted as the will of Valverde to arrive fresh to the great date of the Camp Nou.
Eleven gala
The rest of the team seems well defined. With Ter Stegen under sticks, Piqué and Lenglet forming the most reliable central pair and Jordi Alba crossing, tireless, the left-handed lane, the only doubt is on the right side.
Sergi Roberto has been a starter in all Champions League matches at Camp Nou except against Tottenham , who was injured. The Portuguese could have the advantage of his speed against the ‘devilish’ Mané, but the Reus is very reliable guarding the position and Valverde values it.
In the core, Busquets and Rakitic will surely have the company of Arthur. The Brazilian, although he almost never finishes the matches, is the right one to take the handle of a Barça with the intention of having the ball and to dominate the ‘tempo’ without leaving the 4-3-3.
Arturo Vidal is in a great moment, but he has been a substitute in both the knockout and quarterfinals of the competition and it is presumed that he would be of great value in Anfield, where the ‘war’ is waiting.
Coutinho has been the man in possession for recent outings as Dembele feels his way back from injury, but crucially he’s started when Messi’s been rested.
Having been subbed at half-time against Alaves at the weekend, will Coutinho be the man to miss out against his former side?
Barcelona predicted line-up: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Busquests, Rakitic, Arthur; Messi, Suarez, Dembele.