FC Barcelona return to La Liga action this week against Rayo Vallecano. The game is expected, as is kind of the norm with Barcelona at the moment, to be a troublesome encounter. Barça will have to travel to the Vallecas and face Rayo away from home, a tough ordeal by itself.
However, the complications for Barcelona start with worrying statistics and end with injuries. For starters, Xavi Hernandez has never won against Rayo Vallecano since taking over. The Catalan coach will first have to ensure those past misfortunes do not continue into this latest outing.
Moreover, even the selection will now be a bit more open, as SPORT reports. With Gavi’s latest injury during the international break, Xavi is left without one of his key players for the rest of the season. Accordingly, adjustments to the squad are expected.
The defense is where things will first get interesting. Given the exhausting minutes Ronald Araujo played against both Argentina and Bolivia, the central defender could start from the bench. In his stead, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde could take over.
When it comes to the fullbacks, Barcelona could return to using two offensive sides. Joao Cancelo had his fair share of work with Portugal while Alejandro Balde did not receive any call-ups this time around.
The midfield is what most people will be excited to see in the Rayo clash. However, Gavi’s injury will make the selection process easier for Xavi. Pedri is likely to start as he stayed behind during the recent international break and continued to work on recovering his peak fitness.
He will likely be joined by Oriol Romeu and Ilkay Gundogan, despite the German’s rather busy schedule with his National team. Worth noting, however, is the possibility of Fermin Lopez being utilized as a fourth midfielder if Xavi truly hopes to return to his former tactics.
The frontline could see Robert Lewandowski be joined up by Ferran Torres and potentially Joao Felix. The Spaniard’s inclusion in the starting eleven seems probable given the late return of Raphinha from international duty with Brazil.
