Line-ups: Tito goes with Tello

Cristian Tello and Carles Puyol are the surprise choices to start tonight for Tito Vilanova’s first game in charge of Barcelona.

The Catalans begin life without Pep Guardiola and under his former assistant at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday night.

Build-up to the game suggested that Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique were certain to start and that the final position to determine was between Cesc Fabregas and Pedro Rodriguez.

However, neither Iniesta nor Pique start, whilst both Cesc and Pedro do, with Tello and Puyol included as well. Puyol was expected to be rested after only returning to action recently after recovering from knee surgery. David Villa is named on the bench.

For La Real, who have lost their last 14 games at Camp Nou, Philippe Montanier looks to have sprung a few surprises.

Carlos Martinez and Alberto de La Bella starting in defence instead of the expected Mikel Gonzalez and Jose Angel, whilst Antoine Griezmann is named as what looks like the single striker, in favour of Carlos Vela.

Starting line-ups

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Cesc; Pedro, Messi, Tello

Real Sociedad: Bravo; Estrada, Ansotegui, C. Martinez, De la Bella; Prieto, Bergara; Castro, Illarramendi, Elustondo; Griezmann

Tags Griezmann Tello Vilanova
La Liga - Club News