Real Betis vs Barcelona - Denis Suarez tipped as Iniesta's long-term replacement

Posted Saturday, January 28, 2017 by PA

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has touted Denis Suarez as a potential successor to captain Andres Iniesta as a midfield linchpin ahead of the LaLiga clash at Real Betis.

The 23-year-old left Barcelona in order to gain more first-team football at Villarreal in 2015 and after flourishing in his sole season at Estadio de la Ceramicare, Enrique decided to bring the central midfielder back to the Catalan club last summer.

The former Manchester City youth player has slotted into the team seamlessly since replacing Iniesta, who is sidelined with a calf problem, and has repaid his manager's faith by scoring three goals in his last two appearances.

He will retain his place for the trip to the Estadio Benito Villamarin and his manager feels that the spell away from the reigning LaLiga champions has helped develop Suarez into a key component of his side.

"Suarez could be Iniesta's long-term replacement, why not?" Enrique said after the 5-2 win in the Copa del Rey over Real Sociedad on Thursday.

"Players have to evolve. He has to improve, but Iniesta is Harry Potter, he makes magic, and it's difficult to find another. But Denis is on the right path and I hope he can be (Iniesta's long-term replacement).

"He is the youngest player in the squad and one of the few players to leave Barca B and be able to return. That's because of taking care of the ball but also because of working hard off the ball, which some players forget about.

"You have the ball for a minute or a minute and a half in the game, so if you do not do well without it, you have no chance at this level. Denis understands that and he is well loved by his team-mates."

Barca can go to the summit of the LaLiga table with victory before Sevilla and current leaders Real Madrid play in the later matches on Sunday.

Javier Mascherano made a rare start in holding midfield during the 5-2 quarter-final success against Sociedad but came off with a knock and is a doubt for the match while forward Rafinha (hamstring) and Sergio Busquets (ankle) are definitely out.

Victor Sanchez del Amo, who took over as Betis head coach from former Zaragoza and Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet in November, was in defiant mood ahead of Sunday's early fixture.

He said: "They don't always win, even with Messi. It's difficult to say just how tough the two 'big teams' make it but, in any case, it is a nice game for us.

"We have a thrilling challenge and we are prepared for them. We have an opportunity to make this a really great night because this is one of those matches that gives you a lot of prestige if you win it.

"We hope that our defensive work is of the high level needed to stop them from being at their own usual level. We have the same objective as Barcelona in this match, which is to win all three points."

Midfielder Ruben Pardo, who has signed on loan from Real Sociedad and fellow new recruit Alin Tosca have trained with their new team-mates and are in contention to feature at some point against the Catalan club.

Aissa Mandi has returned from international duty with Algeria but Joaquin and Felipe Gutierrez (both knee), Antonio Sanabria (thigh) and Darko Brasanac (shoulder) will miss out through their respective injuries.