Barcelona
coach Luis Enrique has named a much-changed squad for Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final
second leg at Valencia -- with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez among 10
regular starters left behind.
Barca won
last week's first leg 7-0 at the Camp Nou, with Suarez scoring four times, and Messi
grabbing a hat-trick.
Messi was
expected to miss the return game after reportedly undergoing a minor procedure
to deal with a kidney issue on Tuesday morning. Those also rested include
senior players Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba,
Javier Mascherano, Dani Alves and Claudio Bravo.
The
18-man squad announced on Wednesday morning includes Barca B youngsters Wilfrid
Kaptoum, Sergi Samper, Dani Romera, Juan Camara and Gerard Gumbau, as well as
Juvenil A winger Carles Alena - who scored a superb solo goal against Roma in
the UEFA Youth League earlier this season and turned 18 in January.
Spanish
federation rules limit the number of youngsters which teams can play in the
Copa del Rey to just three -- so it is more likely that squad players such as
Marc Bartra, Sandro Ramirez and Douglas will get rare first team starts.
At his
prematch news conference on Tuesday Luis Enrique had said he would face the
game like any other, although he also admitted that the 0-7 score from the
first leg meant his players would face a "different challenge" at
Mestalla.
Los Che
coach Gary Neville said he would be prioritising Saturday's La Liga game at
home to Espanyol, with the former Manchester United defender still searching
for a first league win, although Neville denied he felt he was now in a
relegation battle.
"FC
Barcelona have a date tonight in the Copa del Rey," Barcelona's club
statement said. "Despite the 7-0 in the first leg, there are still 90
minutes between the Blaugrana and the Copa final. Between this a Valencia side
which is only thinking about La Liga, but who will want to begin a comeback and
build some morale in the Copa."
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