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TEAM NEWS: Sergi Roberto and Pedro start for Barcelona in match against Osasuna
Pep Guardiola names a much changed side that sees the Barcelona B star join Thiago Alcantara and Javier Mascherano in midfield
12-Feb-2012 12:31:30 AM
By Martin Macdonald
Pedro Rodriguez - Barcelona
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has made a few noticeable omissions from his starting XI for the away match against Osasuna on Saturday evening.
Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Cesc Fabregas all settle for a place on the bench with an unrecognised trio of Javier Mascherano, Thiago, and Barcelona B youngster Sergi Roberto starting the match.
Pedro has recovered from his knee injury and will start the match up top with Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez. Cristian Tello, who has impressed since breaking into the first team squad in recent weeks, is dropped to the bench, as is Isaac Cuenca, as both started the last league match.
Osasuna will start the game with two recognised strikers on the park as Nino partners Dejan Lekic in attack. Things will likely be tight in the middle as Raul Garcia, Javad Nekounam, and Francisco Punal are all combative central midfielders.
Osasuna (4-4-2): Fernandez; Bertran, Sergio, Flano, Raitala; Nekounam, Punal, Cejudo, Raul Garcia; Lekic, Nino.
Subs: Riesgo, Lolo, Calleja, Ibra, Lamah, Timor, Damia
Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal; Mascherano, Thiago, Sergi Roberto; Alexis Sanchez, Messi, Pedro.
Subs: Pinto, Adriano, Cesc, Xavi, Cuenca, Iniesta, Tello
Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Cesc Fabregas all settle for a place on the bench with an unrecognised trio of Javier Mascherano, Thiago, and Barcelona B youngster Sergi Roberto starting the match.
Pedro has recovered from his knee injury and will start the match up top with Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez. Cristian Tello, who has impressed since breaking into the first team squad in recent weeks, is dropped to the bench, as is Isaac Cuenca, as both started the last league match.
Osasuna will start the game with two recognised strikers on the park as Nino partners Dejan Lekic in attack. Things will likely be tight in the middle as Raul Garcia, Javad Nekounam, and Francisco Punal are all combative central midfielders.
Osasuna (4-4-2): Fernandez; Bertran, Sergio, Flano, Raitala; Nekounam, Punal, Cejudo, Raul Garcia; Lekic, Nino.
Subs: Riesgo, Lolo, Calleja, Ibra, Lamah, Timor, Damia
Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal; Mascherano, Thiago, Sergi Roberto; Alexis Sanchez, Messi, Pedro.
Subs: Pinto, Adriano, Cesc, Xavi, Cuenca, Iniesta, Tello
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