Old Lady of Turin feel the pain of international duty

Luis Suarez may be able to join the attack after appearing for Uruguay during the international break, but coach Ernesto Valverde may look to keep the striker in cotton wool as he recovers from a knee injury, with Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Juventus around the corner.

Ivan Rakitic will miss the Catalan derby due to a hamstring problem he sustained while playing for Croatia, while Rafinha is out with a long-term knee problem.

Valverde’s men made light work of Real Betis and Alaves in the opening two weeks despite the problems the club has suffered this summer, including losing star man Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain.

However Espanyol usually prove more problematic foes than most for their neighbours, and Quique Sanchez Flores will be determined to help his team bounce back from a 1-0 home defeat by Leganes in their last outing.

Javier Lopez Oscar Duarte and Alvao Vazquez are set to miss the game with injuries but Victor Sanchez should overcome a calf problem to feature.

“Camp Nou and good moment are hard words to put together,” said Sanchez, unconvinced Barcelona’s troubles will help his side to get a positive result.

“It’s been really tricky to win, even to score, but I have the hope of taking something positive. It’s true that in Barcelona they are talking more about the side off the pitch and I hope we can take advantage.

“Both us and them will be aggressive, but everything should stay within the limits. We have to be strong, put our leg in and treat the ball well to do to get a good result.”

Earlier in the day Real Madrid will look to bounce back from a 2-2 home draw against Valencia with a win over another east coast side, Levante. SERIE A champions Juventus welcome Chievo tomorrow to open the league’s third matchday with some woes after a break for World Cup qualifiers.

Defender Giorgio Chiellini pulled a muscle while training with the Italian national squad last week and has joined the already sidelined Claudio Marchisio and Marko Pjaca.

Juve’s rear package is also likely to miss veteran defender Andrea Barzagli, who, at 36, may need a rest after two close games with the Azzurri against Spain and Israel.

Young Daniele Rugani, who was called up but did not play with La Nazionale, is ready to fill in, and new arrival Rodrigo Bentancur hopes for more minutes after a first brief appearance in a 4-2 win at Genoa, which was followed by the inclusion in the squad’s Champions League roster.

The 20-year-old Uruguayan midfielder said he was “a bit apprehensive at first, but ultimately delighted to have the chance to come on to the pitch against Genoa, even if I wasn’t expecting it.

“I’ve no doubts whatsoever about my aims this season: to keep working like I have been, to establish myself in the first team and to win everything possible with Juventus.”

Conserving energy will be crucial for the Turin Bianconeri, who Tuesday begin their continental campaign with a difficult visit to Barcelona. Roma are also in the tournament, with a home game to Atletico Madrid following tomorrow’s league match at Sampdoria.

The Genoa side won the first two games of the season along with Juve, Napoli, AC Milan and Inter Milan, who beat Roma 3-1 before the break.

New Czech signing Patrik Schick could debut up front with the Rome Giallorossi against his former team, while Alessandro Florenzi looks forward to return as Roma winger after a 10-month recovery from knee injury.

Napoli close the weekend at Bologna. Europa League games are scheduled Thursday for Milan and Lazio, who clash Sunday in Rome. Atalanta are back in continental action after 26 years in the same event but first want to pick up their first points in the Serie A at home against Sassuolo.

Udinese, Benevento, Cagliari and Fiorentina are also on zero points from two games. Inter vs Spal, Cagliari vs Crotone, Verona vs Fiorentina, Udinese vs Genoa and Benevento vs Torino complete the round. – dpa