Barcelona v Elche: With Luis Suarez absent, defence will be key

The backline has been neglected in recent years with close-season recruits Jeremy Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen the first centre backs to be signed since Dmytro Chygrynskiy in 2009.The club had previously attempted to paper over the cracks by converting midfielders into centre backs, with the idea being that they would be comfortable in possession and bring the ball out of defence.The combative Argentine Javier Mascherano has done relatively well in this role, despite his lack of height, but Sergio Busquets and Alex Song have also been tried out in the position with little success.But, given the Uruguayan cannot play until late October, it could be Luis Enrique's defensive reinforcements that make the difference as they look to win back the Liga title.We continue our extensive live coverage of Europe's top teams this season with ALL of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich's matches this season getting the live commentary treatment. We will also be covering the biggest matches in Italy and France across the 2014-15 campaign.The club's first trophyless season in six years has sparked an overhaul with new coach Enrique bringing in fresh faces for many positions ahead of a campaign that kicks off on Saturday; Barca's opener against Elche is on Sunday night.All eyes will be on Suarez, signed from Liverpool for £65m or £75m, depending on who you believe, when he finally makes his competitive bow for Barca after he was handed a four-month ban for biting at the World Cup.(uk.eurosport.yahoo.com)Bakudaily.Az