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Suarez out & Coutinho to return? How could Barca line up vs Valencia?

  /  maite_

Barcelona play their final game of the season on Saturday when they take on Valencia at the Benito Villamarín in the final of the Copa del Rey.

The game represents the chance for Barcelona to do the double for a second year running, while Valencia are aiming for their first Copa del Rey win since 2008.

Let’s have a look at how Barcelona might line-up on Saturday:

Defence

Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been ruled out of Saturday’s final which means Jasper Cillessen will make potentially his last appearance for the club.

Nelson Semedo is also a doubt after spending the night in hospital after suffering a head injury against Eibar on Sunday, so Sergi Roberto is likely to feature at right-back.

The rest of the backline pretty much picks itself with Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet in central defence and Jordi Alba taking up his usual spot at left-back.

Midfield

Ernesto Valverde has decisions to make in midfield with Arthur expected to be fit and available for the match after injury.

Arturo Vidal has been the preferred options in recent weeks alongside Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets and could keep his place.

Carles Alena is also an option for this game, but he may have to settle for a place on the Barcelona bench.

Attack

And this is where it gets really interesting with Barcelona set to be without Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele and maybe even Philippe Coutinho due to injury.

Coutinho did take part in training during the week which suggests he may be fit enough to make it, and given the club’s injury problems he may go straight into the team.

Lionel Messi will, of course, lead the team out in Seville, while Malcom looks the most likely option to complete the attack.

Possible XI: 

Barcelona (4-3-3): Cillessen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Vidal; Malcom, Messi, Coutinho.

Valencia (4-4-2): Doménech; Piccini, Garay, Gabriel, Gayá; Coquelin, Parejo, Kondogbia, Guedes; Rodrigo, Gameiro

Related: ValenciaBarcelona