Lionel Messi leads Barcelona 19-man squad to face Juventus as six players remain out

Lionel Messi will lead Barcelona's 19-man travelling squad to face Juventus on Wednesday night (22 November) with manager Ernesto Valverde devoid of any fresh injury concerns for the crucial Champions League clash.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper Adrian Ortola has also been promoted to the squad from the second team but Javier Mascherano, Andre Gomes, Sergi Roberto, Arda Turan and long-term injury duo Ousmane Dembele and Rafinha Alcantara will remain on the sidelines due to varying injuries.

Barcelona maintained their magnificent start to La Liga on Saturday [18 November] by securing a 3-0 victory at Leganes thanks to a brace from Luis Suarez and late goal from Paulinho.

The win kept the Catalans at the the top of the table just a week before their vital visit to second-placed Valencia.

Los Che also beat Espanyol on Sunday [19 November] to remain four points behind the leaders while Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are now trailing Barcelona by 10 points after drawing in the derby played at the new Wanda Metropolitano.

The victory over Leganes came at a price for Barcelona with Gerard Pique receiving a yellow card which is expected to see him missing the clash with Valencia due to suspension.

The news is a major setback for Valverde after Javier Mascherano returned from international duties with a hamstring injury which will keep him on the sidelines for around four weeks.

Thomas Vermaelen should take Pique's place at Mestalla alongside Samuel Umtiti but the Spain international will still be available to lead Barcelona's back-line when the Catalans visit Juventus on Wednesday [22 November].

Valverde has included him, Messi and Barcelona B keeper Ortola in his 19-man travelling squad to face the Serie A giants as Gomes, Sergi Roberto, Turan. Dembele and Rafinha remain unavailable.

Barcelona only need a point to go through the last 16 and arrive at the Juventus stadium top of Group D, three points ahead of the Serie A giants.