Barcelona revert to their usual 4-3-3, albeit without the injured Samuel Umtiti, at Camp Nou this evening as Atletico Madrid opt for experience.
Umtiti was ruled out of the match with a knee strain, so Javier Mascherano partners Gerard Pique in a two-man central defence, with Sergi Roberto back on the right and Jordi Alba on the left.
Sergio Busquets returns from his rest to anchor Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic, but Rafinha’s wonder-strike at Leganes is not enough to keep him in the team at MSN’s expense.
Atleti, on the other hand, welcome back Juanfran at right-back and captain Gabi on the right wing, with Sime Vrsaljko dropping out completely and Nicolas Gaitan benched.
Luis Enrique has won seven of his eight previous meetings with Diego Simeone, although the Argentine’s only victory knocked Barca out of the Champions League last season.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Subs: Denis, Arda, Cillessen, Alcacer, Digne, Gomes, Mathieu
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Savic, Godin, Filipe; Gabi, Koke, Saul, Carrasco; Griezmann, Gameiro
Subs: Torres, Correa, Lucas, Thomas, Gaitan, Gimenez, Moreira
Referee: Fernandez Borbalan
