FC Barcelona are now three games away from the end of the La Liga season. Far from an ideal campaign, but it still has something that the Catalan club can hope to aim for. Finishing second in the league is now the goal for Barcelona, and they must take a vital step against Almeria to make it a reality.
Currently just a point above Girona with this game against Almeria in hand, Barcelona need a victory here to ensure that they can have some space to breathe over their Catalan competitors. As such, despite Xavi claiming the need for rotations, the Barcelona manager needed to field a competitive lineup.
With the lineup now officially released, the Barcelona coach has decided to do just that. While there are a few rotations here and there, the team is ultimately one that the coach can be confident enough about when it comes to getting an important victory over Almeria.
In goal, to no one’s surprise, stands Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. The German goalkeeper, recently confirmed to be part of his country’s Euros 2024 squad, will need to do his part and ensure that the opposition does not get any free chances to get a goal against Barcelona.
In the defense, however, there are some changes to the lineup. Ronald Araujo was not even included in the squad due to an issue with his knee, so Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez return as the starting central defenders, the same pair that kept Real Sociedad from scoring in their last outing. On their flanks, Jules Kounde starts as the right-back while Spanish youngster Hector Fort makes an appearance as the starting left-back, replacing Joao Cancelo.
Then come the midfielders, and over here Spanish midfielder Sergi Roberto returns to the starting lineup. Right in front of the Spaniard are two of his compatriots, albeit significantly younger ones. Pedri and Fermin Lopez start as the two interiors, and with Ilkay Gundogan suspended, it makes sense for Xavi Hernandez to rely on them both.
Lastly, the frontline sees Lamine Yamal start on the right wing as he looks to continue his fine form. On the opposite end of the attacking trident is Ferran Torres, who starts as the team’s left winger, while Robert Lewandowski returns as the starter for La Blaugrana, hoping to add more goals to his season’s tally.
