With the La Liga title sealed for FC Barcelona and the 2022/2023 season set to close its curtains soon enough, it will end with change. As title races end and champions become crowned, coaches look to their benches and establish just who exactly needs to have more time under the spotlight.
In the case of FC Barcelona, there are several players that have been working tirelessly this season due to the intensive schedule and the quality of opposition they needed to face on a regular basis to achieve their objectives. Among these are players ranging from peaking veterans to merely developing youngsters.
According to a report by Diario AS, from among those exhausted through the season thus far, two specific players are expected to be left out of the team for the upcoming clash against Real Sociedad at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Pedri and Ronald Araujo reportedly both carry some level of discomfort following the aftermath of the game against Espanyol that resulted in FC Barcelona being crowned the champions of Spain.
The Spanish midfielder and Uruguayan defender will consequently be out of the game alongside youngster Pablo Gavi who will also be left out due to suspension as he has accumulated five yellow cards.
As a consequence, the expected lineup at Camp Nou will be very different from Xavi’s ideal “Gala XI” and will see the probable deployment of players that typically have not been graced with too many minutes on the field in Barcelona’s colors this season.
The likes of Franck Kessie, Pablo Torre, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Inaki Pena, and Marcos Alonso could all be given starts by Xavi in an attempt to give them a chance to prove their worth while simultaneously resting his more key players.
Furthermore, the players will also finally be presented with the La Liga Santander trophy at Camp Nou so that they may lift it for the first time in front of their home fans. All rested and suspended players are expected to be there for the celebration.
