Barcelona will face Sevilla on Sunday night at Camp Nou, aiming to secure the second spot in the La Liga table while still holding a game in hand. This presents a golden opportunity for Barca to apply pressure on the league leaders.
Despite being in the midst of a demanding schedule, with seven matches lined up over the next 21 days, no rotations are expected for this crucial clash. Xavi is likely to field his strongest available lineup, signaling the importance of the fixture as they look to maintain momentum in the title race.
The predicted line-up:
Formation: 4-3-3
Goal Keeper:
Marc-André ter Stegen remains the clear choice to start in goal for the Catalan giants. His exceptional shot-stopping ability, command of the area, and distribution skills have been pivotal for Barcelona this season.
Defense:
Gerard Piqué and Jordi Alba are guaranteed starters for this crucial fixture against Sevilla. Eric Garcia has been in excellent form lately, and his ability to progress the ball gives him an advantage over Ronald Araujo, who is still developing in that aspect.
However, if Xavi opts for additional defensive stability and chooses to start Araujo, Dani Alves is likely to be deployed as the right-back, especially with Sergiño Dest sidelined due to injury. This combination could provide a solid defensive foundation while also allowing for attacking contributions from the full-backs.
Midfield:
Sergio Busquets enjoyed a rare two-week rest during the international break and is now poised to start alongside Pedri in the midfield for the clash against Sevilla. Gavi is anticipated to begin the match on the bench but could make a significant impact if called upon, especially as Frenkie de Jong is likely to be included in the starting lineup.
Additionally, Nico González is expected to be a valuable substitute, providing some much-needed relief for Pedri ahead of the upcoming Europa League clash. This strategic rotation allows Xavi to maintain freshness in the squad while ensuring they remain competitive against a tough Sevilla side.
Forwards:
Barcelona’s attacking trio of Ousmane Dembélé, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Ferran Torres was indeed breathtaking in their recent performance against Real Madrid, and they are expected to retain their spots despite the strong competition from Memphis Depay and Adama Traoré.
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