Sergio Busquets and Andreas Christensen will return, while Ousmane Dembele should appear off the bench for Barcelona against Real Betis.
Barcelona will look to return to winning ways when they welcome Real Betis to Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday evening. And Xavi Hernandez has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Andreas Christensen, Sergio Busquets, and Ousmane Dembele return to the Barcelona squad for Saturday’s match. While Busquets returns after serving a suspension, Christensen and Dembele have recovered from their respective injuries.
So Sergi Roberto remains the only absentee for Barcelona, and he will be unavailable for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, Xavi spoke at length about Dembele during his pre-match press conference. Andreas Christensen was another subject of discussion.
Xavi said, “The sensations were not good and the injury was in a striking area that was more difficult to heal. He is fine and happy. We’ll see if we start him or use him as a substitute, but it’s very important news for us.”
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“We have missed him. He is the best one-on-one player, there are few in the world like him. Ask the full-backs in La Liga who they prefer. He’s a player with tremendous speed, he’s a difference-maker. It’s logical that we’ve missed him.”
“He is a personal signing of mine. I have a lot of faith and trust in him. He is always focused and is a player who is always aware of what is going on. It’s great news. He’s available and one hundred percent.”
With Christensen regaining fitness, the Danish defender should return to the starting lineup. The Dane will form the central defensive partnership alongside Ronald Araujo. And Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde should continue as the full-backs, with Marc- Andre ter Stegen an automatic pick between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Sergio Busquets should return to the starting lineup after serving his suspension. The Barcelona captain should join Pedri and Frenkie de Jong in the middle of the park. That means Gavi will move into the left-wing spot.
Gavi will likely join Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha in the final third. So Ousmane Dembele will likely appear off the bench on Saturday as Xavi looks to ease him back into the thick of the action. Dembele will accompany Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati on the bench this weekend.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Frenkie de Jong, Busquets, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Gavi
