After losing to Real Madrid last Saturday, Barcelona will be eager to mount a strong response and get back to winning ways against Real Sociedad at Anoeta this weekend.
The away trip to the Basque club will certainly not be easy, but Barça will have more motivation to try to close the gap with the top spot after the first El Clasico match of the season slipped.
Additionally, Xavi Hernandez is expected to recover in time for Pedri and Frenkie de Jong for the match, leaving Sergi Roberto as the only Blaugrana player absent through injury.
Xavi has decided on the starting lineup Now, according to AS’s Javi Miguel, Barcelona coach Xavi has decided on the starting lineup he will field against Real Sociedad on Saturday.
The Barça coach is aware that his team cannot afford to lose points knowing that they have dropped to fourth place in the La Liga standings, thanks to the results of Girona and Atletico Madrid.
So Xavi sees the match against Real Sociedad as a ‘final’ and will not rotate much but will instead name his strongest starting XI.
The idea is to make the most of any fatigue Imanol Alguacil’s side may be feeling in the midweek cup tie by fielding the best possible team from kick-off.
Xavi therefore plans to start with centre-back duo Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen, the former returning to his natural position after playing at right-back against Real Madrid.
Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde are expected to take over at full-back with Marc-Andre ter Stegen lining up in goal.
No changes are expected in midfield, with Xavi likely to stick with Ilkay Gundogan, Gavi and Fermin Lopez from the start, meaning Oriol Romeu is once again left on the ice bench.
In attack, Robert Lewandowski should start as a central striker, alongside Ferran Torres and Joao Felix.
Pedri, Frenkie’s minutes off the bench The report adds that while Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are likely to make the team’s roster, they will only come on as substitutes .
This is in line with reports suggesting the Dutchman will play a maximum of 20 minutes against Sociedad.
Raphinha, Jules Kounde and Lamine Yamal are also on the bench.
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