Barcelona to face Atletico sans Iniesta, Busquets

Barcelona will be without Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets once more as they face old foes Atletico Madrid in a fifth two-legged clash between the sides in four seasons with a place in the Copa del Rey final at stake on today

Andres Iniesta

Madrid: Barcelona will be without Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets once more as they face old foes Atletico Madrid in a fifth two-legged clash between the sides in four seasons with a place in the Copa del Rey final at stake on today.

"Atleti are always difficult to play against," said Enrique.

"It will be a great atmosphere and it is a tie worthy of a semi-final," Enrique added.

Barca got the better of Atletico 4-2 on aggregate in a bad-tempered tie when the sides last met in the Cup two seasons ago as the Catalans went on to win the treble.

Sergio Busquets

And Enrique defended his decision to rotate his squad during January if Barca are to have any chance of repeating that feat as they chase down Madrid in La Liga and face PSG on their return to Champions League action on February 14. "If I don't rotate, we won't get to February 15. Between injuries, suspensions and tiredness, there is no other way. I rotate or we don't challenge in all competitions."

The one area the Barca boss has been reluctant to rotate is up front and all three Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar look set to start.

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