Predicted Barcelona lineup against Cadiz CF: Trincao set for a rare start; Riqui Puig also in contention

Francisco Trincao is hoping to earn a start when Barcelona lock horns with Cadiz CF at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

Following two crushing cup defeats at the hands of Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona look to pick themselves up as they welcome Cadiz CF at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

Despite the recent stumbles, this is an ideal opportunity for the Catalans to put pressure on league leaders Atletico Madrid, who have dropped points against Levante and Celta Vigo in recent weeks. It essentially means Ronald Koeman may not look to make too many alterations from the side that faced PSG in midweek.

“As I said after the game, the world does not end. We have to analyze the games, our mistakes, and improve things. The other day we were not at our best with the ball, we lost too many balls and gave away too many options on the counter. I hope we come out strong and win the game.”, said the Dutchman during the pre-match press conference, when asked about Barca’s performance against PSG.

In the teamsheet released by the club, Barcelona, it seems, are set to miss out on Ronald Araujo once again, which could force Koeman to persist with the central defensive combination of Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet once again, while Sergino Dest and Jordi Alba should also retain their roles as full-backs.

“Gerard is doing well. We did well to let him play 60-70 minutes against PSG. He’s continued to train well, he rested two days, he trained well yesterday and today and he’s available for this weekend.”, Koeman said, in response to Pique’s fitness inquiries.

Moving forward, in midfield, the Barcelona manager might want to retain the services of Sergio Busquets once again, ahead of Miralem Pjanic, while Frenkie de Jong and Pedri are almost guaranteed starters in the advanced midfield positions. The creativity they provide going forward will be essential to the team’s overall chance-creation in this game.

Riqui Puig is an alternative Koeman may consider, should he opt to provide de Jong with a breather, although the Dutchman is more than likely to feature as a substitute in that case.

There could be one change in the attacking department, though, with Francisco Trincao hoping for a rare start following his impressive performances in recent weeks. The Portuguese youngster, could, in fact, replaced Ousmane Dembele in the starting lineup, thus forming the Barcelona frontline alongside Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann.

Koeman, though, could always call upon the services of Dembele if needed while Martin Brathwaite should provide them with a target-man should Cadiz defend in deep blocks.

Barcelona Predicted XI: ter Stegen; Dest, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, de Jong; Trincao, Messi, Griezmann