Xavi Hernandez is set to make his 505th and final La Liga appearance for Barcelona against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday as Thomas Vermaelen prepares to makes his debut for the club.
Blaugrana legend Xavi confirmed this week that he is to leave Barca in the summer after 24 years and start a new chapter in his career with Qatari club Al Sadd.
Vermaelen, meanwhile, joined the Catalan club from Arsenal in a deal worth €15 million last year, but has yet to even play one minute due to a hamstring injury.
With Barca having already tied up the Spanish title, and Copa del Rey and Champions League finals still to come, Luis Enrique told Friday's pregame news conference that both Xavi and Vermaelen will feature against relegation-threatened Depor in Saturday's final league game of the season.
"The less regular players will play," he said. "It is a good moment for Vermaelen to make his debut. Xavi will start tomorrow's game.
"There is a party, but before that a game in which we want to play well. It will be useful for us for the two finals we have left to play. I have no doubts that the team will be at a good level."
Luis Enrique praised the role Xavi has played this season both on and off the pitch, with the 35-year-old having not started many big games but reportedly helped to smooth internal issues after January's row between the coach and Lionel Messi.
"Without Xavi in the dressing room of course it will be different," Luis Enrique said. "Xavi took his decision, what he feels is right for himself. He can still win two more trophies.
"The years pass for everyone, and this is professional sport. For me he could still play some more years at Barca. He has helped us a lot off and on the pitch, and has fulfilled the role I expected from him."
Although Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu has said Luis Enrique will remain as coach next season, the man himself once more refused to speak about what will happen when the current campaign ends.
"I am not going to say anything about my future," he said. "I have two finals in my head. I will speak about that when the season ends."
Asked if he had spoken with the club about preparations for the 2015-16 campaign, Luis Enrique replied: "No."
Another Barca stalwart with his future undecided is right-back Dani Alves -- reports suggest the Brazil international will announce on Tuesday that he will play elsewhere next season.
Luis Enrique, however, gave little away when asked about the speculation.
"The two sides have all the information," he said. "And they still have time to make announcements."