Vitor Roque will serve a suspension when Barcelona and Granada lock horns at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday.
Barcelona will be eager to keep pace with the front-runners in La Liga when they host Granada at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday night. And Xavi Hernandez has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen should be fit and available to take on Granada this weekend after recovering from a back injury. In addition, Raphinha is also back after overcoming his recent issue. But there is also some bad news, with Vitor Roque serving a suspension after seeing red last weekend against Deportivo Alaves.
Meanwhile, Sergi Roberto, Alejandro Balde, Marcos Alonso, Gavi, Ferran Torres, and Joao Felix remain on the sidelines. Xavi addressed many team news updates during his pre-match press conference.
The Barcelona boss said, “Raphinha will be available tomorrow. Cancelo and Araujo have been playing with some discomfort lately but they will be ready for tomorrow. Gavi’s recovery is going much better than expected. He is happy and positive.”
“Vitor Roque’s appeal? I don’t want to talk about the referees and polemics. I gave my opinion last week and nothing more. Christensen as a defensive midfielder is a very valid option for us. He’s a very versatile player that can cover a number of positions.”
With Xavi discussing Christensen’s compatibility in the holding midfield role, the Danish international should start at the base of the midfield unit, with Ilkay Gundogan, who has shrugged off a knock, and Frenkie de Jong accompanying him in the middle of the park.
The dearth of options also means Pedri will again start in an advanced role in the final third. Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the Barcelona attack against Granada on Sunday, with Lamine Yamal featuring on the right flank. So, Raphinha will be an option on the bench.
Finally, Marc-Andre ter Stegen will take his spot between the sticks, with Inaki Pena dropping to the bench after deputising for the German international for several weeks. The backline should see only one change, with Inigo Martinez accompanying Ronald Araujo at the heart of the defence. Jules Kounde and Cancelo will be the two full-backs.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Inigo Martinez, Cancelo; Frenkie de Jong, Christensen, Gundogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Pedri
