FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez will make two surprise changes to his squad ahead of Cadiz on … [+] Sunday.
FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez will make history with his first squad for Sunday’s must-win clash with Cadiz at Montjuic Stadium.
Two key developments over the past seven days mean there are vacancies in attack and defence.
Right winger Raphinha was shown a red card and two-match ban for elbowing before half-time in a 0-0 draw with Getafe, and centre-back Ronald Araujo, who played at full-back. right in most of his pre-season friendlies and Getafe was deadlocked, picking up an injury that would put him out for at least a month.
Xavi will not be allowed to command his team from the touchline after receiving a red card for strongly protesting a foul on Ez Abde at Getafe.
The failure to help his case made match administration “embarrassed” after the game, and his brother Oscar will be sidelined for the next few games.
However, Xavi is still allowed to choose the squad, and he should use a three-back formation while Lamine Yamal, as has been touted before – dominates the right wing and becomes the youngest player ever to make his debut. Barca’s La Liga at the age of 16. old.
Starting in goal, Marc-Andre ter Stegen will look to keep a clean sheet one more time with Alejandro Balde, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde up front.
In midfield four, pivot Oriol Romeu sits behind Ilkay Gundogan, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong while Pedri is a pseudo-left winger further out.
On top of that, it was the explosive prodigy Yamal paired with Robert Lewandowski, who was three goals behind Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham in the race for Pichichi for the title of Spain’s top scorer.
Speaking of Los Blancos, it’s still early but the fact that they’ve got six points and Barca are only the only team so far to make the Catalan side’s debut at their temporary home, Montjuic Stadium, must win.
Culers in the country and around the world will also want to be entertained, looking for improvements in last week’s match against Getafe.
FC Barcelona First Expected Lineups vs. Cadiz: Ter Stegen; Balde, Christensen, Kounde; Romeo, Gavi, Gundogan, De Jong; Pedri, Lewandowski, Ferran
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