Robert Lewandowski and Pedri will return for Barcelona, but Ousmane Dembele will miss the game against Real Betis through injury.
Barcelona will hope to continue the scintillating winning run when they lock horns with Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin Stadium on Wednesday night. And Xavi Hernandez has greeted a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres are available after serving their respective suspensions. But Ousmane Dembele is out after sustaining a hamstring injury against Girona this past weekend. Meanwhile, Hector Bellerin joined Sporting CP on deadline day and has played his last game for the Blaugrana.
During his pre-match press conference, Xavi spoke about Dembele’s absence. He said, “We don’t know because he has a muscle injury that is difficult to predict. It will depend a lot on how he feels as well. It’s a sensitive loss. He was in a moment of extraordinary confidence. He gave us good attacking and defensive work too. It is a difficult loss to recover. We will try not to show it.”
In Dembele’s absence, Xavi’s offensive resources are limited. So the return of Lewandowski and Torres comes at a perfect time. Meanwhile, Xavi also spoke about one of his offensive options, Raphinha. The Brazilian international has not been consistent thus far for Barcelona.
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Xavi said, “The team in general has to create more in attack and be more decisive in the final third, not only Rafa. Rafa will be important. I have a lot of confidence in him that he will make the difference.”
Raphinha should start on the right wing amid Ansu Fati’s inconsistencies this season. The Brazilian international will join Lewandowski and Torres in the final third. Meanwhile, Pedri will return to the starting lineup, replacing Sergio Busquets.
The Spanish midfield sensation will likely join Frenkie de Jong and Gavi in the middle of the park. As for the defensive unit, Xavi might make a couple of changes to the backline the started against Girona.
Jules Kounde should continue as the right-back, while Ronald Araujo will feature as the centre-back. Andreas Christensen should replace Eric Garcia in the central defensive unit. And Jordi Alba will likely come in for Marcos Alonso at left-back. Finally, Marc-Andre ter Stegen picks himself between the sticks.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Alba; Gavi, de Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Torres
