Ousmane Dembele will return to the Barcelona starting lineup against Osasuna at Spotify Camp Nou on Tuesday.
Barcelona will aim to inch closer to reclaiming the La Liga title when they welcome Osasuna to Spotify Camp Nou on Tuesday night. And Xavi Hernandez has a near-full-strength squad at his disposal ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Sergi Roberto is the only player missing from the Barcelona squad for Tuesday’s game. Meanwhile, Xavi has picked Lamine Yamal in the group again after the 15-year-old became Barcelona’s youngest-ever player this past weekend against Real Betis.
Meanwhile, Xavi spoke about Yamal during his pre-match press conference, praising the teenage prodigy. In addition, the Spanish manager discussed the importance of players like Pedri and Ousmane Dembele.
He said, “Lamine is a boy who has his feet on the ground. He is cheerful and positive. His head is focused and I see him as first team material. The problem is that Pedri is a special and differential player.”
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“I wish we could have two or three ‘Pedris’. We have to improve collectively even if we can’t count on him or other important footballers like Dembele. Rafa is very important and they have played matches together with Dembele. Rafa is having a great season.”
While Lamine Yamal might not start, Dembele will return to the starting lineup against Osasuna on Tuesday. The French international will likely replace Pedri in the team, with the young midfielder earning some much-needed rest. And Dembele will join Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski in the final third.
Pedri will likely feature off the bench, with Xavi needing to preserve the youngster amid his fitness battles this season. So Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Sergio Busquets should partner up in the middle of the park. And Franck Kessie, like Pedri, will be a backup option on the bench.
As for the defensive unit, Xavi does not need to change anything, especially with Andreas Christensen fit and firing. The Danish international will form the central defensive partnership with Ronald Araujo. And Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde should be the two full-backs, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen taking his spot between the sticks.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; de Jong, Busquets, Gavi; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Dembele
