FC Barcelona welcome visiting side Real Sociedad to the Spotify Camp Nou for Matchday 35 of La Liga Santander in what could be a memorable game. Having already sealed the La Liga title, Barcelona were expected as it is to have certain rotations in the squad.
The official starting eleven has been released and Barcelona lines up in Xavi Hernandez’s preferred 4-3-3 formation, and due to the unavailability of Gavi, the false winger system will most probably not be utilized in this game as Barcelona typically tends to do so.
In goal, Zamora chasing Marc-Andre Ter Stegen starts in between the sticks, hoping to continue his fine form for the Blaugrana outfit and achieve his target of breaking several clean sheet and defensive records.
In the Barcelona defense, Andreas Christensen starts in the center of the back 4 with his partner being Frenchman Jules Kounde. On either side of the defenders are the two fullbacks, Jordi Alba and Alejandro Balde, a combination of Spanish veteran and youngster.
In the midfield, Sergio Busquets starts as the team’s primary pivot and defensive midfielder as the squad’s spine. Up ahead in front of the veteran Spaniard, the duo of Dutchman Frenkie De Jong starts with the Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie, who finally gets a chance to have more game time under his belt.
Finally, the offensive frontline is composed of three players. Robert Lewandowski leads the charge and spearheads the front three as the team’s primary and top goal scorer with 21 to his name already in La Liga Santander as he chases the Pichichi award. On his left, Frenchman Ousmane Dembele starts for the first time since his return from injury, and the right wing is covered by Brazilian winger Raphinha.
Official Line-up:
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen
Defenders: Alba, Kounde, Christensen, Balde
Midfielders: De Jong, Busquets, Kessie
Forwards: Dembele, Lewandowski, Raphinha
