Before the Copa del Rey final goes down in May, fans would be treated to the glimpses of what to be expected between the 2 finalists as they face off in the La Liga this weekend.
Barcelona visits Mendizorroza on Saturday to face Deportivo Alavés in their 22nd La Liga game of the season, and the encounter sure promises to be a cracker with both sides having a lot at stake.
The hosts handed Barcelona their first defeat of the season back in September at the Camp Nou, and they would be brimming with confidence as a result on Saturday.
With Real Madrid able to go 7 points clear of them at the top of the table if they win their 2 outstanding games at hand, Barcelona are in a very tight position as far as retaining their La Liga title and can’t afford to further drop any points.
Anything apart from a victory against their Copa del Rey final opponents would put a huge dent on their campaign, and Enrique has to find a way to field a strong starting XI with Tuesday’s Champions League round of 16 first-leg against PSG also on his mind.
Here is how the Catalans might be lined up against the 12th placed team on the La Liga log:
Formation : 4-3-3
GK – Ter Stegen
Having sat out of cup duties against Atletico on Tuesday, the German returns to action on Saturday and would hope to be able to keep them out in their own backyard.
LB – Digne
The French fullback has gotten the all-clear following his return to training with the team last week, and could be deployed ahead of Alba, with the Spaniard rested for Tuesday’s game.
CB – Pique
The Spaniard has remained one of Barcelona’s best players this term and an ever-regular face in the heart of their defence.
Should be making his 16th Liga appearance on Saturday.
CB – Umtiti
Mascherano picked up a hamstring injury against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night and will spend the next 2 weeks on the sidelines.
That should give the summer arrival the chance to start the next 2 games alongside Pique.
RB – Vidal
The Spaniard has shaken off a poor start to the campaign and now looks capable of securing a permanent starting berth at the right of Barcelona’s defence.
Could be making his 5th La Liga start of the season on Saturday with Roberto sitting out ahead of a potential start on Tuesday.
LM – Iniesta
The side’s skipper returned to action in the midweek clash and could get a start on Saturday in preparation for Tuesday’s clash.
CM – Busquets
The defensive midfielder also returned to action against Atletico and will be unarguably making the starting lineup to face Alaves with the side having struggled in the middle of the park in his absence.
RM – Rakitic
Has slowly started regaining some of his missing excellent touches and would hope to continue improving if he’s started as a competition for a starting shirt continues to increase.
LW – Neymar
The 25-year-old has not been clinical in front of goal this season as expected and would hope to use weekend’s clash as an avenue to sharpen his skills in the final third ahead of the Champions League knockout stages.
CF – Suarez
The 30-year-old has continued to bang in the goals and now leads the charts with 16 strikes.
A certain starter for weekend’s encounter.
RW – Messi
The Argentine is La Liga’s joint highest goalscorer with his Uruguayan counterpart and would be saddled with the responsibility of leading his side to much-needed victory.