Barcelona vs Eibar - Andres Iniesta return boosts Barcelona against Eibar
Posted Saturday, October 24, 2015 by PA
Barcelona will be bolstered by the return of captain Andres Iniesta for Sunday's home game against Eibar.
The Spain international was injured during last month's Champions League encounter against Bayer Leverkusen on September 29 but has recovered and is set to feature this weekend.
Barca go into the contest at the Nou Camp after Tuesday's 2-0 win away to Belarusian side BATE Borisov.
Two goals from Ivan Rakitic handed the Catalans their second win in the Champions League and lifted the holders three points clear of nearest rivals Leverkusen at the top of Group E.
"This win strengthens us," Barca coach Luis Enrique told his club's official website.
"To win with a clean sheet while the other group game ended in a draw puts us in a strong position."
Barca, who are still without injured star Lionel Messi, had given away at least one goal in their previous eight games before shutting out BATE on Tuesday.
"At the moment, we seem to need to create a lot of chances in order to score goals, while our opponents can hurt us at the lightest moment," Enrique said.
"(Against BATE) We didn't let in any goals. This might be the turning point. We need to keep working to be better still."
Barca are hoping to clinch their third win on the trot in all competitions this weekend.
They bounced back from a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla with a 5-2 triumph over Rayo Vallecano last weekend to join La Liga leaders Real Madrid and Celta Vigo on 18 points.
Real go up against Celta on Saturday.
Barca are without midfielder Sergi Roberto, who sustained a minor groin injury in midweek and will be sidelined for 10 days.
Eibar held Sevilla to a 1-1 draw last time out to move into seventh place in La Liga.
They have lost just one of their opening eight games, a 2-0 home defeat to Atletico Madrid last month.
Jose Luis Mendilibar's side have looked solid at both ends of the pitch, scoring 11 goals while conceding seven.
"We will try to pull off a surprise knowing that the Nou Camp is the toughest stadium to play at," Eibar captain Dani Garcia told his club's official website.
"We are going through a good spell of form and we need to make the most of it because sooner or later, this will end.
"The fact that Messi will not play is a slight advantage for us but Barca have other great players."
Borja Baston, who is Eibar's leading scorer with five goals, will lead his team's attack.
The visitors will be without defender Ivan Ramis, who is sidelined for five weeks with a muscle tear in his right leg.
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