Ronald Araujo will replace Jules Kounde in the starting lineup when Barcelona welcome Athletic Club to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday.
Barcelona will look to close the gap to Real Madrid at the top of the table when they host Athletic Club at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday night. And Xavi Hernandez has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Several pivotal figures are unavailable, with Jules Kounde the latest player on the sidelines. The Frenchman has joined Sergi Roberto, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski in the treatment room. But there is some good news, as Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal have trained after missing Spain duty during the international break.
Xavi confirmed the availability of the Spanish duo apart from Ronald Araujo and Ilkay Gundogan for Sunday’s game during his pre-match press conference. He said, “All four [Gundogan, Araujo, Yamal, Balde] will be available on Sunday, they are 100%. Those who have travelled have done recovery work, but they are fine.”
The Barcelona manager also discussed the topic of the escalating injury troubles. He said, “We’re taking it as a challenge, we’re taking it step by step. First this Sunday, a lot of things happen from one day to the next. We need to get three points. At the start of the season, we’ve had some great moments of playing well.”
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“We must recover our ideology and get the three points by playing well. I would say the calendar and bad luck. There have been two ankle injuries and a knee in an unfortunate play. We are in a situation with a lot of absentees but it won’t be an excuse for the game and to be able to play well.”
The injured Kounde should make way for Ronald Araujo, although it won’t be surprising if Xavi rests the Uruguayan international, with Inigo Martinez in line for a start. Araujo will accompany Andreas Christensen in the central defensive partnership, with Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde being the two full-backs. The quartet will cover Marc-Andre ter Stegen between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Oriol Romeu should return to the starting lineup, with Fermin Lopez dropping out. But Lopez might have a chance to start the game if Xavi deems Gundogan to require some rest. Gavi will be the third figure in the middle of the park against Athletic Club.
Meanwhile, the offensive unit picks itself in the absence of Lewandowski and Raphinha. Ferran Torres will be the makeshift striker, with Joao Felix and Yamal completing the numbers in the final third. But the trio will complete a fluid trifecta, interchanging positions throughout the game.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Cancelo, Christensen, Araujo, Balde; Gundogan, Romeu, Gavi; Yamal, Ferran Torres, Felix
