Barcelona vs. Málaga LIVE

Confirmed Alignments:

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Mascherano, Piqué, Digne; Busquets, Denis Suárez, Rafinha; Arda, Alcácer y Neymar.

Málaga: Kameni; Rosales, M. Torres, Mikel Villanueva, Ricca; Llorente, Pablo, Ontiveros, Juankar, Juanpi; Sandro.

MINUTE BY MINUTE

PREVIEW

The return of Gerard Piqué to the team and a place in the starting lineup for Paco Alcácer, replacing the suspended Luis Suárez, are the main attractions for Barcelona facing the game on Saturday (10:15 a.m. on DirecTV) against a Málaga with absences, a team that has only won twice at Camp Nou, but has accumulated 10 points in the last six games.

The international break has allowed Luis Enrique to recover two of his starting defenders: Piqué and Jordi Alba; also Jérémy Mathieu, but has lost Samuel Umtiti.

Injuries at Barcelona are currently limited to the French center-back and Andrés Iniesta, injured at Mestalla, and who continues to push his recovery deadlines with the clasico against Real Madrid on December 3 in mind.

The lineup against Málaga will depend on the inactivity of some recently recovered players, the suspension of Luis Suárez, and also on the Champions League match next Wednesday in Glasgow against Celtic.

Therefore, it seems clear that Piqué will return to the center-back, while Lucas Digne is likely to start on the left-back, instead of Jordi Alba. Sergi Roberto, despite his recent hesitant performances, is guaranteed a place on the right-back.

Sergio Busquets, who will be playing his 400th match with the Barcelona shirt, will be the one in charge of directing operations from the center of the field, with a few options as companions. Although Ivan Rakitic and Arda Turan seem to have the upper hand, Denis Suárez could have his chance.

Review the best images of Friday's training session. #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/vV5pZ579KC

In front, Lionel Messi is in great form, as demonstrated in the Argentina-Colombia game, where he scored the opening goal and provided assists for the other two goals. Neymar is also in good form, despite having participated in only one training session, he seems more tired.

The main addition to the team, unless there is a surprise, is the presence of Paco Alcácer as a striker. The forward will replace the suspended Luis Suárez and has the opportunity to score his first goal with the Barcelona shirt, which has eluded him so far.

Málaga, heavily depleted with six absences, has only won twice at Camp Nou, most recently two seasons ago with a 0-1 win with a goal from Málaga forward Juanmi; and in the 1999-2000 season, with a 1-2 win with goals from Agostinho and Vicente Valcarce, and Joaquín Peiro on the bench.

This season, the feelings are different with a new coach, Juande Ramos, and a different philosophy than his predecessor, Javi Gracia. In addition, there is the irregularity and poor display of play by Málaga in many games.

Furthermore, Málaga is the second worst team in the league when playing away from home, with only two draws against Espanyol (2-2) and Alavés (1-1), and defeats against Las Palmas (1-0), Betis (1-0), and Atlético de Madrid (4-2).

Therefore, there are many negative conditions against a team, Barcelona, who is the top scorer with 32 goals and the fourth fewest goals conceded with 13.

In addition, Juande Ramos faces numerous absences, including injured players Keko, Kuzmanovic, Charles, Weligton, and Recio, as well as the suspended Ignacio Camacho.

Málaga also has physical problems with defender Juan Carlos Pérez and Uruguayan midfielder 'Chory' Castro, which means there will be several players from the youth team in the squad, such as forward Javi Ontiveros or defender Luis Muñoz.

As a positive note, defender Diego Llorente will make a comeback after several weeks injured and has a chance to earn a place in the starting eleven.

It will also be a special day for former Barcelona player Sandro Ramírez, who will face his former team for the first time and step onto Camp Nou as an away player.

Possible Lineups:

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Mascherano, Digne; Busquets, Rakitic, Arda; Messi, Alcácer, Neymar.

Málaga: Kameni; Rosales, Torres, Villanueva, Ricca; Jony, Fornals, Llorente, Juan Carlos; Juanpi, Sandro.

Referee: De Burgos Bengoechea (Basque Country)

Stadium: Camp Nou