News

Fresh off an impressive 0-4 defeat of Mallorca over the weekend, FC Barcelona return to the Camp Nou to host Leganes in La Liga on Tuesday evening at 16.00 ET/22.00 CET.

The fact that Barça will contest competitive soccer at their home stadium for the first time since a controversial 1-0 win against Real Sociedad on March 7, which put them back on top of the Spanish top flight prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, is being celebrated by local media.

Mundo Deportivo writes on its front cover of how the Blaugrana “reappears at its fortress, now without a crowd, and with the objective to win and put pressure on Real Madrid”.

It is also noted how coach Quique Setien “announced” rotations at his midday prematch press conference on Monday, though goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is a guaranteed starter between the sticks.

An assist and goal hero in Palma, Jordi Alba is suspended for picking up one too many yellow cards, which means flop signing Junior Firpo receives another chance at left back.

Returning from suspension himself, Clement Lenglet is likely to partner Gerard Pique in the center of defense while Nelson Semedo, previously punished for attending a coronavirus gathering of 20 people, is snubbed in favor of Sergi Roberto to finish the back line.

In order to rest Arturo Vidal and Frenkie de Jong for Friday’s clash with Sevilla, Mundo Deportivo’s Gabriel Sans believes that Ivan Rakitic and Arthur will be placed in front of Sergio Busquets in midfield.