Barcelona hand no debuts to their summer arrivals, while Sergi Roberto is trusted in the middle of the park to assume the role vacated by Andres Iniesta. Messi and Suarez continue to lead the line, with Dembele chosen to support the duo.
Alaves subs: Alvaro Sivera, Burgui, Ximo Navarro, Adrian Martin, Borja Baston, Patrick Twumasi, Antonio Perera.
ALAVES (4-1-4-1): Fernando Pacheco; Martin Aguirregabiria, Victor Laguardia, Guillermo Maripan, Ruben Duarte; Daniel Torres; Jony, Mubarak Wakaso, Manu Garcia, Ibai Gomez; Ruben Sobrino.
Barcelona subs: Philippe Coutinho, Arthur, Rafinha, Jasper Cillessen, Malcom, Clement Lenglet, Arturo Vidal.
BARCELONA (4-3-3): Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Nelson Semedo, Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba; Sergi Roberto, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele.
Let’s take a look at the two teams this evening.
Alaves comfortably avoided relegation last season, finishing in 14th place. They will have their sights set higher in the coming term as Abelardo enters his second season with the team. John Guidetti, Borja Baston, Jony and Patrick Twumasi are some of the new arrivals that have joined the club over the summer.
Barcelona return for the defence of their crown from last season with several new additions Arthur, Clement Lenglet, Malcom and Arturo Vidal. Lionel Messi was not able to bring success to Argentina in the World Cup, but Ernesto Valverde will be delighted to have him back fit and firing ready for the challenges of a new campaign.
Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the opening day LaLiga clash between Barcelona and Alaves.
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Jony makes his bow for Alaves this evening, while there are places on the bench for Baston, Navarro and Twumasi.