MX23RW : Saturday, June 29 10:39:46| >> :120:6263:6263:

Team News: Messi only on bench for Barcelona

Lionel Messi is named only on the bench for Barcelona for the La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid.

Lionel Messi has only been named on the bench for Barcelona for the La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid.

The Argentina captain will only feature as a substitute after missing training on Friday following the birth of his second son.

Rafinha instead comes into the frontline of Luis Enrique's side alongside Luis Suarez and Neymar in one of only two changes to the team which beat Malaga 1-0 in Barca's last game.

The other alteration is in goal where Marc-Andre ter Stegen replaces the injured Claudio Bravo, while Sergi Roberto has overcome a knock to keep his place at right-back.

Gerard Pique continues to serve a suspension, so Thomas Vermaelen continues in the centre of defence alongside Javier Mascherano after scoring the winner a fortnight ago.

For the hosts, Felipe Luis comes back in at left-back after recovering from injury, while Tiago is fit enough to keep his place in midfield.

Fernando Torres once again partners Antoine Griezmann in attack.

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Giminez, Godin, Luis; Tiago, Gabi, Koke, Oliver; Griezmann, Torres
Subs: Moya, Savic, Gamez, Saul, Carrasco, Vietto, Martinez

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Mascherano, Vermaelen, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Rafinha
Subs: Masip, Bartra, Mathieu, Adriano, Munir, Messi, Sandro

Follow Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute commentary of the La Liga clash here.

ID:245708: cacheID:245708:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3889:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar celebrates after scoring his second goal during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) quarter final second leg football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs FC Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on January
Read Next:
Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Saturday, June 29
 
5pm
 
8pm
Sunday, June 30
 
5pm
 
8pm
Monday, July 1
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, July 2
 
5pm
 
8pm
Friday, July 5
Saturday, July 6
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!