(Reuters) – Dani Alves was left out of Barcelona’s squad for the Europa League knockout stage as coach Xavi Hernandez determined to incorporate new signings Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Adama Traore as an alternative, the membership introduced on Wednesday.
Xavi was pressured to go away out one of Barca’s 4 new signings as a result of UEFA’s rules enable solely three gamers to be added to a squad after the group stage is full.
Barcelona will face Napoli within the spherical of 32 over two legs in February.
With striker Ansu Fati scuffling with accidents, Xavi has determined to prioritise his ahead choices, whereas he has cowl obtainable in Alves’s right-back place.
Alves, who loved a trophy-laden first spell with Barca between 2008-16, reached an settlement in November to rejoin his former membership till the top of the present marketing campaign as a free agent.
He joined Brazilian aspect Sao Paulo in 2019 after spells with Juventus and Paris St Germain, however terminated his contract following a dispute over unpaid wages.
Torres, Traore and Aubameyang all arrived within the January switch window.
Torres left Manchester City to hitch Barcelona for a charge of round 55 million euros ($62.30 million), with an additional 10 million euros in add-ons.
Speedy Spain winger Adama Traore arrived this week on mortgage from Premier League aspect Wolverhampton Wanderers till the top of the season.
Aubameyang accomplished his transfer to Barcelona on a free switch after terminating his contract with Arsenal on Wednesday.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Toby Davis)
