Xavi Hernandez should name his strongest starting lineup possible when Barcelona and Girona clash in La Liga on Sunday.
Barcelona will be eager to keep pace with the front-runners in La Liga when they host Girona at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday night. And Xavi Hernandez does not have any new issues to deal with ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Gavi are the most notable absentees for Barcelona, with the duo out for the foreseeable future. In addition, Xavi will be without Inigo Martinez and Marcos Alonso against Girona this weekend.
Xavi did not discuss any team news updates during his pre-match press conference. But he spoke about his desire to have Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix in his squad next year. In addition, he had words of motivation for Oriol Romeu, who has not featured much recently.
He said, “What the president said is important, but it is clear that we are both satisfied with Cancelo and Joao Felix. They both make a difference, and I would like to keep them for more than one season.”
“I want both Joaos to continue, I am happy with them. But there are negotiations that do not concern me. This is related to Deko and the boss, although it is early. As a coach, I would be happy to keep them.”
On Romeu, he said, “I would tell Oriol Romeu, despite having lost prominence, not to give up. My example is Iñaki. He has always trained hard and has been ready when we needed him. We will need everyone; the season is very long.”
Romeu will not start for Barcelona against Girona, with Xavi naming his strongest starting lineup this weekend. So, Ilkay Gundogan, Frenkie de Jong, and Pedri will form the trifecta for the home side in the middle of the park.
As for the offensive unit, Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the attack, with Joao Felix and Raphinha accompanying him up front. The backline should not see a change either, with Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and Joao Cancelo completing the quartet. Finally, Inaki Pena will continue to deputise for ter Stegen between the sticks.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Pena; Araujo, Kounde, Christensen, Cancelo; Frenkie de Jong, Gundogan, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix
