Barca begins the La Liga season
with a new manager, but several of
their new players missing due to
injury or suspension.
Barcelona begins the Luis Enrique era on
Sunday as they welcome Elche to the
Camp Nou. It's the season opener for both
sides, and the Blaugrana will be determined
to get Enrique a win in his debut. Barca
defeated Elche at the Camp Nou 4-0 last
season, but were held to a scoreless draw
late in the season in the return fixture.
Key Player: Claudio Bravo (Barcelona)
With first choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter
Stegen injured and long time club servants
Victor Valdés and José Manuel Pinto
departed, it falls to summer signing Claudio
Bravo to guard the Barca goal. The Chilean
keeper is experienced and capable, along
with being quite familiar with La Liga. He's
been with Real Sociedad since 2006, and
has played plenty of games at the Camp
Nou. The environment shouldn't be a shock,
though wearing the Barca colors make
everything a little different.
Key Matchup: Barca vs. The Elche Bus
Elche is going to park the bus defensively
against Barcelona. They did it twice last
season with mixed results, and how things
work out for them on Sunday will again
determine the result. If they're able to
combine tight and organized defending with
a bit of lucky -- like they did in the scoreless
draw last May -- anything could happen. If
Barca are able to pass through the clogged
final third and execute some of their
moments of brilliance, this could get ugly.
It's really that simple.
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Neymar (ankle), Marc-Andre ter
Stegen (back), Thomas Vermaelen
(hamstring), Luis Suárez (suspension). In
Doubt: Pedro (illness).
Elche injuries and suspensions
Out: None reported.
After finally getting back from a back injury
suffered at the World Cup, Neymar is once
again sidelined after spraining his ankle
during training. It's a grade 1 sprain which
could keep the Brazilian out a couple weeks.
New goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is
out as well with a back injury, along with
new defender Thomas Vermaelen who is still
recovering from a hamstring problem. Pedro
could be available if he gets over an illness
in time, but if he's unavailable,
youngster Munir El Haddadi could get a
start.

Has everyone forgotten Barcelona?

Honeric01, Mukina2

14 mins - Attempt missed. Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Lionel Messi following a corner.

Tval: 14 mins - Attempt missed. Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Lionel Messi following a corner.

Thanks for the update. Keep it up pls.