FC Barcelona return to action in La Liga EA Sports with their upcoming opponents in the 2023/2024 season being 6th placed Cadiz CF, as the Catalan giants will look to record their first win of the season in their temporary home, the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.
The Catalan giants will head into the game without the assistance of Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo and Brazilian winger Raphinha, as both Barcelona players are respectively unavailable due to injury and suspension. Here is how La Blaugrana could line up against Cadiz:
Expected Line Up:
Goalkeeper: Ter Stegen
The German international will undoubtedly represent Barcelona between the sticks as he looks to continue his fine form and ensure a clean sheet this time around against Cadiz as well.
Left-back: Alejandro Balde
The blitzing fullback from the Barcelona academy continues to showcase just how important of a piece he has become in Xavi’s plans at such a young age already courtesy of his talent and growth in game awareness.
Centre-back: Andreas Christensen
The Danish defender will likely partner French teammate Jules Kounde in the center of the defense given Araujo’s absence, however, given the quality of both central defenders, Barcelona should have faith in their abilities to perform.
Centre-back: Jules Kounde
Slated to primarily play as a central defender this season according to many reports, the Frenchman has been solid thus far since the start of pre-season heading into the official season, and will look to continue his great form.
Right-back: Sergi Roberto
With Kounde deployed at center-back and Ronald Araujo out injured, it seems probable for Sergi Roberto to take up the right-back position and captain Barcelona heading into this game.
CDM: Oriol Romeu
The new arrival to replace Sergio Busquets has thus far been promising and has impressed those who previously doubted him. Set to remain one of the key players this season due to his specific position in which he specializes in, the 31-year-old has huge responsibilities on his shoulders.
CM: Pedri
The young magician at times produces passes or plays that nobody else on the pitch is able to construct, yet the 20-year-old Barcelona star is already well beyond all those around him in the way that he understands and reads the game.
CM: Frenkie De Jong
Now a Barcelona captain and a leader on the field now, Frenkie De Jong has grown into a much more independent player this season and looks to take on even more opponents than before with the elegance and calm that he displayed previously at Ajax. The Dutchman seems to finally have settled at FC Barcelona.
Left-winger: Gavi
The youngster may finally get his first start of the 2023/2024 season, as he looks to prove to those around him at Barcelona that he deserves his own shot at being one of the finest that the Catalan club can call upon.
Centre-forward: Robert Lewandowski
The Polish striker has in recent times shown an obvious decline in both sharpness and his decision-making. However, given his proven quality, it seems only a matter of time before he starts producing for Barcelona yet again.
Right-winger: Ez Abde
Given Raphinha’s absence, the 21-year-old Moroccan winger may be the right choice to replace the Brazilian winger due to his ability to unnerve defenders and truly dismantle structures courtesy of his raw pace and dribbling.
