Luis Suarez is only named as a substitute for Barcelona’s trip to Elche, replaced in the starting XI by Pedro Rodriguez.
Suarez is benched despite Saturday being his 28th birthday and is joined among the reserves by Dani Alves, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta.
Joining Pedro in the team are Martin Montoya at right-back and Marc Bartra at centre-back, with Javier Mascherano taking Busquets’ place in midfield. Bartra partners Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba rounds out the back four as Claudio Bravo continues in goal.
Rafinha stands in for Iniesta alongside Masche and Xavi Hernandez, while Ivan Rakitic didn’t make the trip and instead remains in Catalonia. Jeremy Mathieu misses out through injury.
Pedro, Lionel Messi and Neymar are the front three for Luis Enrique’s side.
Elche: Tyton; Damian, Roco, Pelegrin, Cisma; Pasalic, Adrian; Niguez, Faycal, Victor; Jonathas:
Elche subs: Manu Herrera, Lomban, Albacar, Jose Angel, Coro, Alvaro, Cristian Herrera
Barcelona: Bravo; Montoya, Pique, Bartra, Alba; Mascherano, Xavi, Rafinha; Pedro, Messi, Neymar
Barca subs: Ter Stegen, Alves, Adriano, Sergi Roberto, Busquets, Iniesta, Suarez
Referee: Clos Gomez
