Predicted Barcelona Line-up To Face Girona In La Liga
The Catalan giants are on a rollicking form at the moment. Maintaining a 100% win record in La Liga and scoring 17 whilst conceding 2 in 5 games, Ernesto Valverde looks like he has got hold of the team after their dismal Supercopa loss to Real Madrid. Having beaten Eibar 6-1 on Tuesday, with talisman Leo Messi netting 4 goals, Barcelona will go into the match against newly promoted Catalan rivals, Girona, away at the Estadio Municipal de Montilivi, with plenty of zest and confidence.
Team news
New purchases Nelson Semedo and Gerard Deulofeu are rested for this game and Ousmane Dembele has recently undergone a thigh injury operation in Finland and is expected to be out for 3-4 months. Rafinha will be available in 2 months. Arda Turan and Vermaelen didn’t make it to the squad as well.
Manager: Ernesto Valverde
Formation: 4-3-3
Lineup:
GK: Marc Andre ter Stegen
The young German keeper will hold the fortress against newly promoted side Girona tomorrow.
RB: Sergi Roberto
In the absence of Nelson Semedo, Barca will look to their makeshift right-back from last season, Sergi Roberto to provide attacking width and defensive security down the right flank.
CB: Javier Mascherano
Gerard Pique has started almost every game this season and is expected to get some rest in this match. The Argentine “chief” could fill in for him.
CB: Samuel Umtiti
Umtiti was rested in the midweek game and the French beast is expected to start this game. It must be mentioned he has been included in the FIFA World XI initial list, which is a nod to his sublime performances on the field.
LB: Jordi Alba
Alba has been in good form lately and is expected to start the match.
DM: Sergio Busquets
Busquets has looked amazing in a revitalised Barcelona midfield under Valverde and cules will hope that he maintains this consistency.
CM: Ivan Rakitic
Rakitic was rested against Eibar and came on only for 20 minutes, replacing Busquets in the game. He is expected to get the nod ahead of Paulinho in this game.
CAM: Andres Iniesta
Valverde’s tactics regarding Iniesta have borne fruit. As opposed to Luis Enrique who left him out of the starting line-up altogether, Valverde starts with Iniesta and gives him rest for the final 20-30 minutes when victory has been secured.
RW: Aleix Vidal
Valverde has been working on training Vidal in the RW position instead of RB, and we might get to see the result of that experiment in tomorrow’s game.
CF: Lionel Messi
Leo Messi has already lit up Liga. With 9 goals in 5 games, he is back to his goalscoring prime in the False 9 role. Messi is expected to get a goal or two in this match as well. Maybe another hattrick, who knows?
LW: Luis Suarez
Suarez was rested against Eibar and the Uruguyan has looked terribly off form this season. Barcelona fans will hope that he revives his form soon enough.