Memphis Depay to wear the '9' for the first time at Gamper; Coutinho to return

Barcelona's first squad list after Messi's departure has been confirmed. It features a squad led by Memphis Depay, who, after the numbers for the new season were confirmed, will debut his number 9. Coutinho returns and both Lenglet and Kun Agüero are left out to continue recovering.

The full expedition is made up of the following players: Dest, Pique, Araujo, Sergio Busquets, Riqui Puig, Griezmann, Pjanic, Memphis Depay, Braithwaite -who will now wear number 12-, Neto, Coutinho, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, Emerson Royal, Umtiti, Iñaki Peña, Demir, Nico, Rey Manaj, Balde and Collado.

 

August 8, 2021

Pjanic is another player who is attracting attention because it was speculated that he could have played in this match as a rival of Barca instead of as one of their members. This is due to Juventus' interest in acquiring his services, still present and still capable of being swapped for a transfer to Turin.

More men who will be in the spotlight are Emerson Royal, one of the new additions, and Ronald Koeman, as this will be his first game after it was confirmed that he will not be able to call Leo Messi back into the squad. It remains to be seen if any player will be asking for his '10'.

 

August 8, 2021