Clement Lenglet will return while Ronald Araujo is in contention to start when Barcelona take on Real Sociedad in the Supercopa de Espana semi-final.
Barcelona will be aiming to progress through to Sunday’s Supercopa de Espana final when they lock horns with Real Sociedad at Estadio Nuevo Arcangel on Wednesday night. And, Ronald Koeman has been handed a boost on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Clement Lenglet is available for selection again after missing the weekend’s La Liga game against Granada due to suspension. Ronald Araujo should also be at Koeman’s disposal after recovering from a hamstring injury. That means Gerard Pique, Sergi Roberto, Philippe Coutinho and Ansu Fati are the only absentees for Barcelona, with the quartet omitted from the Super Cup squad.
Koeman provided an update on Araujo during his pre-match press conference, while also speaking about the fitness levels of his squad. The Barcelona boss said, “The other day there were players with a few niggles such as Messi, Dest and De Jong but it seems they will all be available. Araujo did work on his own. We will see this afternoon in the group session but I am confident that they will be 100%.”
Araujo should be fit enough to pair up with Lenglet at the heart of the Barcelona defence, with Oscar Mingueza and Samuel Umtiti on standby in case he is deemed not to be ready. As for the full-backs, there is no looking past Sergino Dest and Jordi Alba, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen is the obvious pick in goal.
Up ahead in midfield, the key selection dilemma for Koeman will once again be the choice between Sergio Busquets and Miralem Pjanic to be the deepest of the three midfielders. Busquets seems to be the preferred choice right now and should start once again, with Pedri and Frenkie de Jong being automatic picks alongside him.
In attack, Martin Braithwaite looks set to miss out once again, owing to a significant improvement in Antoine Griezmann’s form. The Frenchman should start on the left-wing yet again, with Ousmane Dembele likely to be stationed on the right flank. Finally, Barcelona captain Lionel Messi will essay the False Nine role once more against Real Sociedad.
Barcelona Predicted XI: ter Stegen; Dest, Araujo, Lenglet, Alba; de Jong, Busquets, Pedri; Dembele, Messi, Griezmann
Clement Lenglet will return while Ronald Araujo is in contention to start when Barcelona take on Real Sociedad in the Supercopa de Espana semi-final.
Barcelona will be aiming to progress through to Sunday’s Supercopa de Espana final when they lock horns with Real Sociedad at Estadio Nuevo Arcangel on Wednesday night. And, Ronald Koeman has been handed a boost on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Clement Lenglet is available for selection again after missing the weekend’s La Liga game against Granada due to suspension. Ronald Araujo should also be at Koeman’s disposal after recovering from a hamstring injury. That means Gerard Pique, Sergi Roberto, Philippe Coutinho and Ansu Fati are the only absentees for Barcelona, with the quartet omitted from the Super Cup squad.
Koeman provided an update on Araujo during his pre-match press conference, while also speaking about the fitness levels of his squad. The Barcelona boss said, “The other day there were players with a few niggles such as Messi, Dest and De Jong but it seems they will all be available. Araujo did work on his own. We will see this afternoon in the group session but I am confident that they will be 100%.”
Araujo should be fit enough to pair up with Lenglet at the heart of the Barcelona defence, with Oscar Mingueza and Samuel Umtiti on standby in case he is deemed not to be ready. As for the full-backs, there is no looking past Sergino Dest and Jordi Alba, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen is the obvious pick in goal.
Up ahead in midfield, the key selection dilemma for Koeman will once again be the choice between Sergio Busquets and Miralem Pjanic to be the deepest of the three midfielders. Busquets seems to be the preferred choice right now and should start once again, with Pedri and Frenkie de Jong being automatic picks alongside him.
In attack, Martin Braithwaite looks set to miss out once again, owing to a significant improvement in Antoine Griezmann’s form. The Frenchman should start on the left-wing yet again, with Ousmane Dembele likely to be stationed on the right flank. Finally, Barcelona captain Lionel Messi will essay the False Nine role once more against Real Sociedad.
Barcelona Predicted XI: ter Stegen; Dest, Araujo, Lenglet, Alba; de Jong, Busquets, Pedri; Dembele, Messi, Griezmann