Venue: Rosaleda, Date: 23/01/2016, Timings: 3:00 PM GMT / 10:00 AM EST
Television: beIN Sports USA, beIN Sports en Español, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. (USA)
Online Stream: fuboTV (USA), Sky Go (UK)
FC Barcelona head to La Rosaleda Stadium on the 23rd to face Malaga in Matchday 21st of La Liga.
Luis Enrique has confirmed the 18 man shortlist to make to trip to Malaga’s home ground for this fixture, including Balon D’Or winner Leo Messi, who was left behind in Spain and replaced by Arda Turan during Barça’s encounter with Athletic Club Bilbao in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey quarter-finals.
Neymar will be out for this match due to a hamstring injury. Along with the Brazilian, Jordi Alba is injured & Gerard Pique is suspended.
Defense
Claudio Bravo should be the main keeper, as he’s kept 4 clean sheets in his last 4 games in La Liga as that trio up front has been running rampant.
At left-back, Jeremy Matheiu could start with Adriano being a sure substitute for the French defender. Thomas Vermaelan could start alongside Javier Mascherano as the two center-backs. FIFPro World XI right-back Dani Alves looks set to start. The defense should be able to find and keep their bearings against their opponents in 12th place.
Midfield
Malaga are the type of La Liga club to hold nothing back. Barça could only benefit from having their full strength midfield of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic. They have good substitutes in Arda Turan, Aleix Vidal and Sergi Roberto.
Offense
With the news of Neymar not making the trip to Malaga, Sandro looks like the ideal pick for a left-winger. Even though Munir El Haddadi is starting to get the swing of things thanks to his more recent performances, he might not work well on his unnatural side.
Luis Suárez looks add to his ginormous goal tally as he’s not only FCB’s #1 goal scorer so far but also leads La Liga in goals at an impressive 18. Lionel Messi‘s injury scare was just that and he looks to play against Malaga.
(4-3-3)
Via – Lineup Builder
