Ernesto Valverde drops Lionel Messi for Espanyol clash
The coach rested the Argentine, along with Sergi Roberto, Rakitic and Jordi Alba
FC Barcelona face Espanyol on Sunday and Ernesto Valverde made several changes to his side for the game. Being 11 points clear at the top of La Liga allowed him to do that.
The league derby in Cornella will be marked by the conflict from the cup games, but Lionel Messi will not suffer as a result - the coach rested him, with Paco Alcacer taking his place up front.
Lucas Digne and Nelson Semedo come in at full-back for Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto, while Paulinho replaces Rakitic and Coutinho steps in for Aleix Vidal.
Line ups:
RCD ESPANYOL: Diego López; Marc Navarro, David López, Naldo, Aarón; Granero, Víctor Sánchez, Darder; Baptistao, Gerard, Jurado.
FC BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Piqué, Umtiti, Digne; Busquets, Iniesta, Coutinho, Paulinho; Paco Alcácer, Luis Suárez.
