Barcelona vs. Sporting Gijón today LIVE:
The azulgranas win 4-0 at El Molinón in matchday 6 of the Santander League. Luis Enrique's team can't afford to lose any more points if they want to catch up to Real Madrid at the top.
Luis Suarez opened the scoring for Barcelona with a good right-footed finish after dribbling past the goalkeeper. Rafinha, minutes later, headed in a cross from Sergi Roberto to make it 2-0.
Confirmed lineups for Barcelona vs. Sporting Gijón
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Mathieu, Digne, André Gomes, Rafinha, Busquets, Turan, Neymar, and Suárez.
Sporting Gijón: Cuéllar, Lora, Lillo, Cases, Meré, Amorebieta, Burgui, Álvarez, Cop, Rodríguez, and Gómez.
Barcelona vs. Sporting Gijón: minute by minute
Preview of Barcelona vs. Sporting Gijón
The azulgrana club has lost five points in the first five matchdays. All of them at Camp Nou, where in addition to the draw against Atlético, they suffered an unexpected defeat against Alavés (1-2). They have also lost Messi, who will be out for three weeks due to a right adductor tear.
However, Messi's absence won't be the only one for Barcelona in their match against Sporting Gijón in the Santander League. Sergio Busquets won't be available either, as he couldn't finish the match against Atlético due to a flu.
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Barcelona vs. Sporting: confirmed lineups
Time | Country | Channel |
Peru | 9:15 am | ESPN 2 |
Colombia | 9:15 am | ESPN 2 |
Argentina | 11:15 am | ESPN 2 |
Chile | 11:15 am | ESPN 2 |
Defender Samuel Umtiti will also miss the Santander League match due to a strain in the lateral ligament of his left knee. That doesn't mean Luis Enrique won't make changes in defense, where Jérémy Mathieu could come in to give rest to Javier Mascherano or Gerard Piqué at center-back, and Lucas Digne could replace Jordi Alba at left-back.
It doesn't seem likely that Barcelona will use the 3-4-3 formation they used successfully in Leganés, but faithful to their rotation policy, they will probably rest another starter with an eye on the Champions League match against Borussia Monchengladbach next Wednesday.
For the surprise against Barcelona
Sporting aims to maintain their excellent level of play at home shown in the two matches played so far in order to get something positive in tomorrow's match.
The rojiblancos have suffered two consecutive defeats in away matches, but they won both matches they played at El Molinón, where they displayed great levels of play at times.
Brazilian player Douglas, loaned from Barcelona to Sporting, highlighted the potential of the azulgrana squad: "If Messi isn't there, whoever replaces him will be another great player." However, he won't be present due to a glute injury.
Sporting de Gijón conducted several tests this morning, at times lining up Sergio Álvarez and Rachid in the midfield, and Cop and Carlos Castro upfront, while Afif remained on the left wing. This could result in several changes compared to previous lineups at El Molinón this season.
Barcelona vs. Sporting Gijón: probable lineups
Sporting de Gijón: Cuéllar, Douglas, Amorebieta, Jorge Meré, Lillo, Sergio Álvarez, Nacho Cases or Rachid, Moi Gómez, Víctor Rodríguez, Burgui, and Cop.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Mascherano, Mathieu, Digne, André Gomés, Rakitic, Iniesta, Arda, Luis Suárez, and Neymar.