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La Liga | Gameweek 36
May 4, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
BL

2-0

Gomez (67'), Aspas (88' pen.)
FT(HT: 0-0)

Lionel Messi among eight Barcelona players rested for Celta clash

:Headline: Lionel Messi among eight Barcelona players rested for Celta clash: ID:358168: from db_amp
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are among the first-team regulars who will be rested.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde insists his team are not taking Celta Vigo lightly, despite his decision to rest eight senior players for Saturday's away match.

Barca have already secured the LaLiga title and are on the brink of a place in the Champions League final as well as preparing for the final of the Copa del Rey.

Lionel Messi will be rested at Celta, along with Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

However Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele, Arturo Vidal, Arthur and keeper Jasper Cillessen are among those expected to feature.

According to Marca, Valverde said: "We're treating this game the same as the others.

"We're going to try to get three points. We've put in lots of effort in the last three weeks and we're going to make changes because it's necessary to.

"It's clear that we got a good result (in the 3-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg victory over Liverpool) but the tie isn't over, far from it.

Lionel Messi, who scored twice in the Champions League win over Liverpool, will not play against Celta Vigo (Emilio Morenatti/AP).

"We know this because we watch Liverpool regularly, we know what they're capable of.

"Although there will be time to worry about (Liverpool), I know we can't lose focus on the tie, but now we have to concentrate on (Celta).

"I could use (Cillessen) in these games. Each time there's a possibility, he's played a match, like he didn't last year. We're happy with him, he's a great goalkeeper and I know that the goalkeeper position is very special."

Holland international Jasper Cillessen is in line to start in goal for Barcelona (Nigel French/PA).

Valverde also reminded his team that their past three visits to Celta have resulted in two defeats and a draw, adding: "We lost here last year.

"We made changes in the league and cup, I remember. It's the first opportunity to change the dynamic."

Celta manager Fran Escriba has taken encouragement from Barca's team selection, telling his club's official website: "We are aware that Rakitic and Busquets are not coming due to a suspension. It's a good opportunity for us because we believe we can beat any team."

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1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Barcelona19122551222938
3Real Madrid17114237162137
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5Mallorca199371921-230
6Villarreal177642928127
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Osasuna186752327-425
10Celta Vigo187382728-124
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12Sevilla176471823-522
13Rayo Vallecano175661920-121
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1743101629-1315
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512
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