Ousmane Dembele will replace Raphinha when Barcelona and Espanyol clash at the RCDE Stadium on Sunday night.
Barcelona can seal the league title when they lock horns with Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium in the final Derbi Barceloni on Sunday night. And Xavi Hernandez has a full-strength squad at his disposal ahead of the trip across the city this weekend.
Sergi Roberto is fit and available, with Xavi picking him in the travelling squad for Sunday’s game. And Roberto’s return means no Barcelona player remains on the sidelines during the run-in.
Meanwhile, Sergio Busquets was one of the topics of discussion during Xavi’s pre-match press conference. And the Barcelona manager also spoke about the transition to the next generation, hyping youngsters like Gavi and Pedri.
He said, “I respect Busquets’s decision and wish him all the best. Busquets is the most intelligent player I have ever played with. He’s been a ten in everything, spectacular. We are working on another era to come. Hopefully, footballers like Gavi or Pedri can surpass us. This is what sports and life is all about.”
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Xavi also hailed Marc-Andre ter Stegen, saying, “I think he has regained his level. He’s a fantastic goalkeeper, world class. We have tried to give him all the confidence and not only is he being important in goal, but he is also helping us with the output of the ball. He is spectacular.”
With only a few more games left for the 2022/23 season to end, Busquets will likely start every match. The Barcelona captain will join Frenkie de Jong and Pedri in the middle of the park. And Gavi will complete a midfield quartet.
But the teenage sensation will reprise the left-wing role that he usually reprises when the four midfielders start. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembele will replace Raphinha on the right flank. And Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the attack against Espanyol.
As for the defensive unit, Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo will be the two centre-backs. And Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde will be the full-backs. Finally, Marc-Andre ter Stegen will take his usual spot between the sticks for the home side on Sunday.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; F de Jong, Busquets, Pedri; Dembele, Lewandowski, Gavi