Barcelona rest Xavi, Alexis for Valencia game

Spain: Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino will rest regular starters Xavi Hernandez and Alexis Sanchez for Sunday's Spanish league match at Valencia.

Martino says "Xavi and Alexis have played a lot and, according to my criteria, it was time to rest them for a match."

Xavi is Barcelona's reference in midfield while Alexis plays on the right side of attack.

Barcelona defender Adriano returns after missing one game because of a muscle problem.

Xavi has been called up by Spain coach Vicente del Bosque for their World Cup qualifier against Finland on Friday.