Lamine Yamal will return, while Ronald Araujo will be in contention to start for Barcelona against Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Barcelona will look to continue the unbeaten start to the 2023/24 season when they welcome Celta Vigo to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday night. And Xavi Hernandez has a near-full-strength squad at his disposal ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
The Barcelona manager has received some good news this weekend, with Ronald Araujo resuming training. The Uruguayan international is in the matchday squad to take on Celta Vigo on Saturday. So, Pedri is the only player on the sidelines for the hosts.
Xavi spoke about Araujo and Pedri during his pre-match press conference on Friday. He also discussed the fitness and potential availability of Andreas Christensen, who picked up a knock earlier this week in the UEFA Champions League clash against Royal Antwerp.
Barcelona vs Celta Vigo Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
He said, “Andreas was suffering from very minor discomfort, and we wanted to protect him. He had discomfort in his Achilles tendon, but a few days ago, he played 90 minutes and he is at 100%, this is very important.”
On Araujo and Pedri, he said, “Ronald Araujo is a fundamental figure for us, he is very important, he’s a leader, a great corrector, his spirit is key for the team and little by little he will come in, with him we have a feeling of maximum security. Pedri has good feelings. He’s a necessary player. We want him to feel his best and when he is ready, he will join.”
While Araujo has regained fitness, Xavi will likely ease him into the thick of the action, with games coming thick and fast. So, Christensen and Jules Kounde should form the central defensive partnership. The centre-back duo will join Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde in the backline, which will protect Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
As for the midfield unit, Pedri’s absence means Xavi has four options for three positions in the middle of the park. Oriol Romeu might miss out again, with Ilkay Gundogan, Frenkie de Jong, and Gavi completing the numbers.
Finally, Lamine Yamal should return to the starting lineup after Raphinha started on the right flank. But Joao Felix and Robert Lewandowski are automatic picks in the final third for Barcelona against Celta Vigo. So, Raphinha and Ferran Torres will find themselves on the bench on Saturday.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Cancelo, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; Gundogan, de Jong, Gavi; Yamal, Lewandowski, Felix
