Raphinha will replace Lamine Yamal in the Barcelona starting lineup against Getafe at Estadio Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday.
Barcelona will look to extend the recent winning run when they welcome Getafe to Estadio Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday evening. And Xavi Hernandez has a new fitness issue hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Lamine Yamal is recovering from a knock, which requires a late fitness test. Meanwhile, Ferran Torres, Alejandro Balde, Gavi, and Marcos Alonso remain on the sidelines. But Joao Felix and Sergi Roberto will be in contention to feature this weekend.
Xavi did not discuss any fitness updates apart from Oriol Romeu’s issues during his pre-match press conference. But he spoke about several players’ recent form and performances, including Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan.
The Barcelona manager said, “Robert is a consequence of the team’s improvement. He is better positioned and we are attacking and defending in a more organised way. Maybe he’s being more effective, but that’s because we’re better positioned.”
On Gundogan and Romeu, he said, “He [Gundogan] can make a difference from the base of the box. He is making a difference, not just with numbers. He is a fundamental player for us. Oriol has been struggling lately. He is making a plan to be at one hundred per cent. Andreas is giving us balance defensively. We have had more control and more dominance with Andreas in this position.”
Gundogan should retain his spot in the midfield unit, accompanying Andreas Christensen and Frenkie de Jong in the middle of the park. The only change in the starting lineup should come in the attack, with Raphinha replacing Lamine Yamal. The Brazilian international should join Robert Lewandowski and Pedri in the final third.
As for the defensive unit, Ronald Araujo and Inigo Martinez should pair up at the heart of the Barcelona defence. The duo will accompany Joao Cancelo and Jules Kounde in the backline. Finally, there is no looking past Marc-Andre ter Stegen between the sticks.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Inigo Martinez, Cancelo; Gundogan, Christensen, Frenkie de Jong; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Pedri
