Vitor Roque will return to the Barcelona starting lineup against Unionistas de Salamanca CF in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 on Thursday.
Barcelona will aim to reach the Copa del Rey quarter-finals when they lock horns with Unionistas de Salamanca CF at Campo de Futbol Reina Sofia on Thursday evening. And Xavi Hernandez has a new roster issue to deal with ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Ronald Araujo will serve a suspension after seeing red in the Supercopa de Espana final against Real Madrid this past weekend. In addition, Lamine Yamal is unavailable due to a ban after picking up a red card in a youth Copa del Rey match last season.
Meanwhile, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez, Marcos Alonso, Gavi, and Raphinha remain in the treatment room. Joao Cancelo is also yet to regain fitness and is not in the travelling squad to take on Unionistas this midweek.
Xavi spoke about Gavi’s injury while commenting on Vitor Roque’s recent fitness issue during his pre-match press conference. The Barcelona boss also discussed Oriol Romeu’s struggles this season. He said, “Tomorrow Oriol Romeu can be very important. He will continue to participate and be very valuable.”
“Gavi’s injury is a stab in the heart. It is a reality. Or the injury to Ter Stegen, who is one of the captains. These are not excuses, it’s a reality. The economic situation is a reality. We will continue to fight. There is only one Gavi in the world. It is difficult to replace such a player. We miss him. Vitor had some discomfort and that’s why he didn’t take part in the Super Cup. He will have minutes.”
Vitor Roque should spearhead the Barcelona attack against Unionistas, with Joao Felix and Ferran Torres joining him in the final third. As for the midfield unit, Pedri should get another start. The Spanish international will accompany Oriol Romeu and Fermin Lopez in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, with Araujo and Cancelo unavailable, Hector Fort should start as the right-back. The 17-year-old will join Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and Alejandro Balde in the backline. Finally, Inaki Pena will continue to deputise for Marc-Andre ter Stegen between the sticks.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Pena; Fort, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; Lopez, Romeu, Pedri; Torres, Roque, Felix
