Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix will make their first starts for Barcelona against Real Betis at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday.
Barcelona will aim to continue the unbeaten start to the 2023/24 season when they host Real Betis at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday night. And Xavi Hernandez has a near-full-strength squad to pick from ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Ilkay Gundogan has shrugged off a knock to be available to take on Real Betis this weekend. So, Ronald Araujo and Pedri are the only absentees from the matchday squad for Saturday’s fixture. Otherwise, Xavi has a fully-fit group.
Xavi discussed Gundogan, Pedri, and Araujo’s injuries during his pre-match press conference. He said, “Gundogan had the blow on his back. We will see how he is today and we will decide tomorrow, although in principle he should be fit to play tomorrow.”
“Araujo is also progressing well. All players have an injury prevention plan. We should not focus on Pedri. There are injuries in all teams due to the demanding schedule. It’s inevitable with stress and fatigue.”
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While Gundogan is available, he might not start ahead of the fixture pile-up this month. So, Gavi should drop into the midfield trifecta, joining Oriol Romeu and Frenkie de Jong in the middle of the park. Gundogan will thus be an option on the bench.
Meanwhile, the match should witness two players making their first starts, with deadline-day signings Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo in line to go into the starting lineup. Cancelo will feature in the defensive unit, joining Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and Alejandro Balde in the backline.
The defensive quartet will cover Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who should take his usual spot between the sticks. As for Cancelo, the Portuguese international will likely feature in the offensive unit. Meanwhile, Xavi spoke about another Barcelona attacker, the quick-rising sensation Lamine Yamal.
He said, “Lamine Yamal? You told me three weeks ago that I wouldn’t dare to put him on, and now you tell me that I use him too much. Whether he starts or comes from the bench, he’s going to be important for us. He has a natural talent to make a difference and there is no problem.”
Yamal will start again for Barcelona after a memorable international break. The Spanish international will join Cancelo and Robert Lewandowski in the final third. So, Ferran Torres will have to suffice with a spot on the bench on Saturday.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Cancelo, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; Romeu, De Jong, Gavi; Yamal, Lewandowski, Felix
