Barcelona team news: Ousmane Dembele starts as Ernesto Valverde’s side begin La Liga title defence

Ousmane Dembele starts for Barcelona against Alaves at Camp Nou as the Catalans kick off the defence of their Liga title.

The France forward endured a difficult debut season at Barca following his €105 million move from Borussia Dortmund last summer, but scored a wonderful winner on Sunday as Ernesto Valverde’s side beat Sevilla 2-1 in Tangier to win the Spanish Supercopa.

The 21-year-old is included in attack along with Lionel Messi, now club captain, and Luis Suarez, with Sergi Roberto in midfield as Nelson Semedo starts at right-back.

Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic also feature in midfield, with Gerard Pique partnering Samuel Umtiti in central defence, Jordi Alba at left-back and Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal.

Summer signings Clement Lenglet, Arthur, Arturo Vidal and Malcom are all on the bench, along with January arrival Philippe Coutinho.

Alaves’ XI is as expected, with Wakaso, Manu Garcia and Daniel Torres forming a three-man shield in midfield as coach Abelardo starts with a 4-5-1 formation. Ruben Sobrino is the lone man up front.

Team news, starting line-ups

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Alba, Umtiti; Rakitic, Busquets, Sergi Roberto; Suarez, Messi, Dembele​

Substitutes: Coutinho, Arthur, Rafinha, Cillessen, Malcom, Lenglet, Vidal

Alaves XI: Pacheco; Duarte, Laguardia, Maripan, Aguirregabiria; Gomez, Torres, Garcia, Wakaso, Jony; Sobrino

Substitutes: Sivera, Burgui, Navarro, Marin, Baston, Twumasi, Perera