BARCELONA (Sporting Alert) – There was no place once again for David Villa in FCBarcelona starting XI for today’s Spanish Premiera clash against Espanyol at Camp Nou.
Cesc Fabregas is back from injury and former Arsenal FC captain has joined Lionel Messi and the rejuvenated Pedro in the Barcelona attack as the leaders seek to pick up from where they left off before the winter break.
Messi netted a record 90 goals last year and the Argentine international will be looking to start the calendar year on a high.
Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique will lead things at the back for Barcelona Jordi Alba and Dani Alves getting the nod at the fullback positions.
The loaded midfield sees playmakers Indres Iniesta and Xavi joining the holding man Sergio Busquets in the center of the park.
Javier Mascherano, Villa, Thiago, Alexis Sanchez and Alex Song are all amongst the FCBarcelona substitutes for tonight’s game.
Simao and Javier Lopez are amongst the starter for Espanyol.
FCBarcelona vs Espanyol Starting Teams
FCBarcelona: Valdés, Alves, Piqué, Puyol, Alba, Sergio, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc, Pedro and Messi
Subs: Pinto, Montoya, Thiago, Mascherano, Song, Sanchez, Villa.
Espanyol: Francisco Casilla, 18. Joan Capdevila, 15. Hector Moreno, 19. Diego Colotto, 16. Javier Lopez, 7. Jose Raul Baena, 4. Victor Sanchez, 9. Sergio Garcia, 10. Joan Verdu, 6. Juan Forlin, 20. Simao
