Olympiakos vs. Barcelona; Semedo, Mascherano and Denis Suarez all start
Valverde has made a number of changes as he returns to his former home
Rakitic takes a break while Iniesta and Pique are injured and suspended respectively
Barcelona are looking to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League on Tuesday. To do so, they must win at Olympiakos, a place which holds fond memories for Ernesto Valverde, and Sporting Lisbon must fail to beat Juventus in the group's other game. Barça have won all three games in the competition so far and are favourites against the Greeks, who they beat 3-1 at Camp Nou two weeks ago.
The injury to Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique being suspended have forced Valverde into changes throughout the team's spine. Paulinho, who scored against Athletic Club at the weekend, will start in midfield. Meanwhile, Javier Mascherano starts in defence after being passed fit two hours before the game.
They're not the only changes. Ivan Rakitic is also given a rest and his place will be taken by Sergi Roberto, with Nelson Semedo coming back in at right-back. Denis Suarez is also given a start, presumably alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in attack, although Sergi Roberto could also play that role. Andre Gomes has dropped to the bench.
Barça have won 13 of their last 14 games, drawing the other, and want to maintain their excellent run in Athens.
Teams for Olympiakos-FC Barcelona:
OLYMPIAKOS: Proto; Diofo F., Botía, Engels, Koutris; Elabdellaoui, Romao, Tachtsidis, Mehdi Carcela; Odjidja, Fortounis.
FC BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Mascherano, Umtiti, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Paulinho; Denis Suárez, Luis Suárez, Messi.
