Luis Enrique’s side fell to a humiliating 4-0 loss at the Parc des Princes and their hopes of reaching the last eight of the continental competition are now extremely slim.
With that in mind, La Liga perhaps assumes even greater importance now and the Catalans will hope to keep pace with leaders Real Madrid (at home to Espanyol on Saturday) by beating promoted side Leganes at Camp Nou.
BARCELONA INJURIES
Aleix Vidal is sidelined for the remainder of the season after suffering a horrific ankle injury in last weekend’s win away to Eibar. The former Sevilla right-back is likely to be out for five months and Barca are allowed to sign a replacement if they so decide.
Javier Mascherano is also set to be out, while Arda Turan is doubtful after missing the trip to Paris. However, Neymar is fit again following a knock on Tuesday and the Brazilian trained normally in Friday’s session to give Luis Enrique a boost ahead of the game on Sunday.
BARCELONA SUSPENSIONS
Luis Suarez will miss the Copa del Rey final against Alaves after picking up a two-match ban for the red card he was shown in the 1-1 draw with Atletico on February 1.
Barca are set to appeal again in the hope that the Uruguayan will be available for the cup showpiece on May 27 at the Vicente Calderon, but the decision is likely to stand.
Sergio Busquets is banned for the game against Leganes on Sunday after picking up a fifth yellow card of the Liga season last weekend.
BARCELONA POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP
Luis Enrique is set to name a strong side for the visit of Leganes as the Catalans look to bounce back from the humbling defeat at the hands of PSG on Tuesday.
The defence is likely to remain unchanged, but with Busquets banned and Mascherano injured, Ivan Rakitic should start in the role of defensive midfielder alongside Andre Gomes and Andres Iniesta.
Lionel Messi, Suarez and Neymar, meanwhile, will be together for the 100th time in a Barca game.
LEGANES TEAM NEWS
Leganes sit just two points above the relegation zone after last weekend’s disappointing defeat at home to Sporting Gijon.
The promoted side lost that one 2-0 and are without a win since November, having claimed victory in just four of their last 22 Primera Division fixtures.
The Madrid-based club will be without Robert Ibanez, Mamadou Kone, Jon Ander Serantes, David Timor and Ruben Perez on Sunday.
BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS
Barcelona won 5-1 in the very first meeting between the two sides in La Liga, the first game of this season in which the three MSN members scored. Leganes will play at Camp Nou for the first time. Only two sides have won their very first La Liga game there: Malaga in 1999 (2-1) and Villarreal in 1998 (3-1). Lionel Messi has scored against 33 out of the 35 sides he has faced in La Liga at Camp Nou. Only Xerez and Hercules managed to shut the Argentine out. Neymar is the player with the highest average of chances created per game (3. 06 per game), most dribbles completed (five per game) and most touches in the opposition box (8. 33 per game) in La Liga this season.
TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME
Barcelona versus Leganes kicks off at 20:45 CET at Camp Nou on Sunday evening and will be shown live in the UK from 19:30 GMT on Sky Sports 3.
title: “Barcelona Team News Injuries Suspensions And Line Up Vs Leganes” ShowToc: true date: “2023-01-22” author: “April Lazenby”
Ernesto Valverde’s side have won 10 of their 11 games so far in the Primera Division and drew the other, away to Atletico in October.
Barca -1, 17/20 with dabblebet
The Catalans are currently four points clear of second-placed Valencia and eight ahead of Real Madrid, in action in the derby against Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano later on Saturday.
Here, everything you need to know about Barcelona’s trip to Leganes earlier in the day…
BARCELONA INJURIES
Ousmane Dembele is still sidelined with a thigh injury, but the French forward could be back earlier than expected and may feature in the Clasico against Real Madrid before Christmas.
Sergi Roberto, Andre Gomes and Rafinha are all still sidelined, while Javier Mascherano also misses out after picking up an injury on international duty with Argentina.
BARCELONA SUSPENSIONS
Barcelona have no players suspended for the game against Leganes, but Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti both have four bookings in La Liga this season and are one card away from a ban.
BARCELONA POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde will hope centre-backs Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti are on their best behaviour as both are just one booking away from a ban that would see them miss the trip to in-form Valencia next weekend.
However, with Javier Mascherano sidelined, Valverde does not have too many options in that position, although he could consider starting Thomas Vermaelen to rest one of his two first-choice centre-backs ahead of the Champions League clash away to Juventus on Wednesday.
Further forward, Paco Alcacer is set to feature after he scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Sevilla before the international break.
LEGANES TEAM NEWS
Leganes have made a strong start to their second season in La Liga, after finishing in 17th place last term.
The Madrid-based side are currently in ninth position, with 17 points from their 11 matches, including five wins. However, Asier Garitano’s men have lost their last two games in the Primera Division, going down 2-1 at Sevilla and 3-0 away to Valencia.
Goalkeeper Jon Serantes is still sidelined with a long-term injury, while Omar Ramos is doubtful.
BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS
Leganes have lost their two competitive games against Barcelona, scoring only two goals and conceding seven. Both matches were in La Liga last season. Leganes have conceded more goals in their last two league games (five) than they had in their previous nine this season (three). Barcelona have let in just four goals in La Liga this season, their best ever start in terms of goals conceded. Only one team conceded fewer in the first 11 games of a Liga season (three, Atletico in 1995-96). Lionel Messi has scored four goals in his two games against Leganes in La Liga. The Argentine is the player with the most goals scored against Leganes in La Liga, alongside Alvaro Morata. Luis Suarez has failed to score in his last five games in all competitions. He has never gone six in a row without scoring for Barcelona.
TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME
Leganes versus Barcelona kicks off at 16:15 local time at Butarque on Saturday. British broadcasting laws mean games cannot be aired live at that time on a Saturday, but the match will be shown later, from 17:30 UK time on Sky Sports Mix.
