Squad announcement for trip to Madrid

The eighteen players who will travel to Madrid for Saturday’s match against Atlético have been announced. Ernesto Valverde is aiming to equal Barça’s best ever start in La Liga in the Club’s first match at the Wanda Metropolitano at 8.45pm CET.

The squad for the trip to Madrid in full: Ter Stegen, Cillessen, Semedo, Piqué, Rakitic, Sergio, Denis, Iniesta, Suárez, Messi, Mascherano, Paulinho, Deulofeu, Jordi Alba, Digne, Sergi Roberto, André Gomes and Umtiti. Alcácer, Aleix Vidal and Vermaelen have been left out while Arda, Rafinha and Dembélé are injured.

Final session before Wanda Metropolitano debut

Before the squad was announced, the FC Barcelona first team players were put through their paces as they continued their preparations for the match. Valverde had the full squad at his disposal following the international break.

Leo Messi, Mascherano, Luis Suárez and Paulinho arrived back for Friday’s workout and they were the last internationals back seen as their qualifiers were in South America. Moreover, Andrés Iniesta was given the medical all clear following training and he is available. Barça B’s Jokin Ezkieta was also present and Arda Turan worked out on his own as he recovers from injury.

Finally, Guillermo Amor, responsible for Institutional and Sporting Relations for the football first team, greeted the players in the changing room before training started.