BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 06: Barcelon players celebrate with fans after the La Liga match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou on May 6, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) Barcelona take on Sevilla in the Spanish Super Cup. Interestingly, it is just a one legged fixture, that will be contested in Morocco’s neutral venue. We take a look at Barcelona’s potential lineup. FC Barcelona travel to Tangier, Morocco on Sunday for the Spanish Super Cup fixture against Sevilla. This is the first official match in the 2018/19 campaign for both the sides. Interestingly, this is year’s Super Cup will be played away from Spain and will be a one legged affair. This is due to lack of dates available ahead of the start of the La Liga campaign of 2018/19. We have a look at the lineup which Barcelona are likely to field against their Andalusian opponents. Defence Barcelona had the second best defence behind Atletico Madrid last season in Spanish football. Most of this was due to Marc Andre Ter-Stegen’s form. The German shot stopper is once again expected to be the first choice keeper for this season and will be standing in between the sticks for Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup game versus Sevilla. Barcelona will have to go with a fullback pairing of Nelson Semedo and Jordi Alba. The Portugal star will probably be deployed in place of Sergi Roberto, who could push forward to the midfield. Jordi Alba will surely be on a good fitness level after being knocked out from the FIFA World Cup in the round of 16 against Russia whilst playing for Spain. Gerard Pique was also part of the Spanish team that exited shockingly at the World Cup, his long break ahead of the season would also see him fit. Meanwhile, Samuel Umtiti returned to training on Monday after participating in the World Cup till the very end. However, he’d have trained for nearly one week and will be the likely beneficiary of the other centre back spot up for grabs. Midfield Barcelona will play a three man midfield on Sunday as they usually do. Sergio Busquets, who is the club’s unsung hero in most of their title triumphs will be the indispensable choice ahead of a defensive line of four men. Ivan Rakitic also went to the final of the World Cup along with club teammate Umtiti. He also returned to training on Monday similar to his French colleague. However, the Croat is expected to start anyway. Sergi Roberto who is very versatile will be the third midfielder. While many would argue for Arturo Vidal to be given the start, the Super Cup is too critical a match to hand a player his debut right from the first whistle. Attack Barcelona boast one of the strongest attacks of La Liga. Phillippe Coutinho is the best bet to take his position on the left wing of Barcelona’s attack. He did occupy the respective position on many occasions in his first season and is the favourite to occupy it in his first full season. Barcelona announced that Leo Messi will be the captain for the new season following Andres Iniesta’s departure. The Argentine would be hungry to lift his first piece of silverware as Barcelona captain and will be the obvious choice at right wing. Luis Suarez is one of the world’s most lethal strikers. His finishing and poaching qualities are unmatched and he forms the best option to play the striker’s role. Do you think this Barcelona will thrash Sevilla in the Spanish Super Cup with a similar score line as the Copa del Rey Final?<doc-sep>Barcelona news: Sevilla threaten legal action over Supercopa non-EU player selection HERE for the latest MUFC breaking news and transfer updates SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign upfor the latest MUFC breaking news and transfer updates When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. The Super Cup match takes place in Tangier tonight and ahead of the Spanish season opener, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced that there would be no limits on the selection of non-EU player’s for the match. Historically there has been a limitation on selecting non-EU players (also known as extra-community players) for the Super Cup fixture, however, the RFEF have now deemed that the match is not a ‘professional’ competition and as such, they have declared there is no restrictions in place on player selection. In response to the RFEF statement, a “surprised” Sevilla have threatened Barcelona with legal action, if they use more than three non-EU players in the upcoming match. "The legal department of the club is studying this matter and if FC Barcelona had more than 3 extra-community players, it would present the appropriate claim for possible improper alignment,” Sevilla said in a statement. The legal department of the club is studying this matter Sevilla statement “Sevilla FC is surprised by the RFEF's 24-hour Supercup announcement. “It affirms that all the non-EU citizens can sign up, although in their last circular for the 18/19 season it was clear that they could only be 3 without exception according to competition.” Barcelona currently have four players within their squad who hold non-EU status, with Brazilian Philippe Coutinho being recognised as an EU member by being married to a Portuguese citizen. For Barca that leaves their newsignings, Brazilian winger Malcom and Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal, as well as Brazilian midfielder Arthur and Brazilian centre-back Marlon, holding non-EU status. Brazilian Philippe Coutinho is recognised as an EU member by being married to a Portuguese citizen Barcelona sign Brazilian forward Malcom Barcelona news: Barca have four players who hold non-EU status, including Arturo Vidal The RFEF statement, released on Saturday 11 August, said: “The Supercopa is an official competition at a state level, supervised and organised by the RFEF. The competition, in accordance with the applicable legal regime, is not qualified as professional. “That is why, in accordance with the legal framework applicable to official football competitions not qualified as professionals, there is no restriction for the participation of non-community players in such competition. “Therefore, in the Final of the Supercopa of Spain, the number of non-members participating has never been limited, with both finalist teams having full freedom to align all those deemed appropriate.” The Super Cup will be played for the first time as a single fixture, instead of previously being over two legs. It will also be the first use of VAR in an official Spanish competition. El departamento jurídico del club está estudiando este asunto y si el FC Barcelona alinease a más de 3 jugadores extracomunitarios, presentaría la oportuna reclamación por posible alineación indebida. — Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) August 11, 2018 Barcelona news: Sevilla coach Pablo Machin believes his side can pull off a surprise in the cup<doc-sep>
SEVILLA have threatened to pull out of today's Spanish Super Cup tie should Barcelona field more than three non-European Union players. Pablo Machin's side also declared they would take legal action against the La Liga champions if Barca start an "improper line-up" for the clash in Morocco. 4 Pablo Machin's Sevilla side could pull out of the Spanish Super Cup tie against Barcelona Credit: EPA 4 Sevilla are preparing to face Barca in the Spanish Super Cup against Morocco later today Credit: EPA The Spanish Football Federation announced yesterday that there would be no restrictions on the amount of non-EU players either side can field, classing the game as "not professional". It had been thought that the rules would follow the same structure as La Liga games - where clubs can only select three non-EU players in their matchday squad. In a statement, the White and Reds said: "Sevilla FC is surprised by the RFEF's statement 24 hours before the Super Cup. "It has stated that as many non-EU players as desired can be registered, despite the fact that in their last notice for the 18/19 season, only three were due to be permitted, without exception. Sevilla FC is surprised by the RFEF's statement 24 hours before the Super Cup. It has stated that as many non-EU players as desired can be registered, despite the fact that in their last notice for the 18/19 season, only three were due to be permitted, without exception. — Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) August 11, 2018 The Club's legal department is studying the matter and should FC Barcelona submit a team with more than three non-EU players, it would present possible ground for the filing of a complaint on account of an improper line-up. — Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) August 11, 2018 4 Sevilla have threatened to take legal action should Barcelona field more than three Non-EU players for the match Credit: EPA "The Club's legal department is studying the matter and should FC Barcelona submit a team with more than three non-EU players, it would present possible ground for the filing of a complaint on account of an improper line-up." While Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde was equally as annoyed, he said: "As for the Supercopa not being a professional competition, I do not know what to tell you. "I think that Sevilla are professionals and we are professionals. With all the trouble we have had this week with non-EU squad members, they could have warned us before." Summer signings Arturo Vidal, Malcom and Arthur are likely to start for the Copa del Rey holders, while defender Marlon has also travelled with the squad. 4 Barcelona are looking to win an unprecedented 13th Spanish Super Cup Credit: AFP or licensors Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are both EU citizens, while Brazilian international Philippe Coutinho recently obtained a Portuguese passport through his wife Aine. Sevilla have qualified for the Spanish Super Cup after finishing as runners-up in the Copa del Rey - where they lost 5-0 to the Catalan club.