Report: Suarez benched for Clasico

Reports in Spain claim Luis Suarez will start the Clasico against Real Madrid as a substitute, with the Barcelona team dependent on injuries.

AS claim Luis Enrique will use Suarez from the bench, ready to come on should his services be needed.

The Clasico at Santiago Bernabeu is the first Barca game for which Suarez has been available after serving a four-month ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.

Suarez has only been able to train and play friendlies for club and country since the June incident.

The former Liverpool forward’s role against Madrid has been the subject of speculation, with AS saying Suarez will be used late in the game, if necessary.

How Barca line up depends on the fitness of Sergio Busquets, AS add, after a hip problem dogged the midfielder.

If Busquets is fit then he will form the three-man midfield with Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta, with Javier Mascherano taking his place if he isn’t ready.

Busquets’ availability would have an impact in defence as Mascherano would partner Gerard Pique at centre-back if Busquets plays and Jeremy Mathieu would replace Jordi Alba at left-back, to give Barca’s back line some height.

Dani Alves will play at right-back with Claudio Bravo in goal, according to how Barca set out in training.

Tags Clasico Luis Suarez
La Liga - Club News