Jordi Alba returns to the Barcelona XI for this afternoon’s top-of-the-table clash with Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

The left-back missed La Blaugrana’s 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao midweek with a hamstring strain, but he has been given the green light to oust Jeremy Mathieu.

Elsewhere for the Catalans, Claudio Bravo is back in goal, Sergio Busquets comes in for Thomas Vermaelen and Sergi Roberto’s berth is filled by Andres Iniesta.

Atleti, meanwhile, opt for a 4-5-1 formation, contrary to reports Jackson Martinez would start alongside Antoine Griezmann in attack.

Zamora leader Jan Oblak replaces Miguel Moya between the sticks, while Augusto Fernandez makes up a five-man midfield at Luciano Vietto’s expense.

Notable absences are those of Arda Turan, who turns 29 today but is only worthy of the Barca bench against his former club, and Fernando Torres, the striker not even named a substitute

Barcelona: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar

Subs: Ter Stegen, Arda, Munir, Sergi, Vidal, Vermaelen, Mathieu

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Filipe Luis; Koke, Saul, Gabi, Augusto, Carrasco; Griezmann

Subs: Moya, Oliver, Jackson, Savic, Gamez, Thomas, Vietto

Referee: Undiano Mallenco

Tags Jordi Alba
La Liga - Club News