FC BARCELONA
FC Barcelona potential starting XI for the LaLiga Santander game against Girona
Xavi could return to the trusted system of three forwards, bringing in Ansu Fati or Ferran Torres alongside Lewandowski and Raphinha.
Xavi Hernández may return to using three attackers in the LaLiga Santander game against Girona. The coach is considering bringing in Ansu Fati or Ferran Torres to complete the offensive line, which will be made up of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha. In the event that he finally opts for a line of three attackers, everything points to Sergi Roberto being the player who is replaced; he will either start at right back or directly from the bench.
FC Barcelona will be looking to bounce back from a heavy 0-4 (agg. 1-4) defeat in the Copa del Rey semi-final to Real Madrid. They currently sit 12 points ahead of Real Madrid in LaLiga and a positive result against Girona, their Catalan rivals, would take them one step closer to the title.
How will Barça line up against Girona?
In midfield, Sergio Busquets will be responsible for giving structure to the system and control the pace of a potentially tricky affair, and he will most likely be accompanied by Frank Kessié and Gavi. In defence, Xavi has a choice: if Sergi Roberto is finally placed on the right, Ronald Araújo and Jules Koundé would occupy the central places, with the big question being who will be on the left side: will Alejandro Balde keep his place or will he be replaced by Jordi Alba?
Between the sticks, as usual, will be Marc André Ter Stegen, with the challenge of getting his 21st game in LaLiga without conceding a goal. The German goalkeeper is on his way to breaking all the records for a goalkeeper in the league; with only 9 goals conceded in 27 games, he has well within reach the record held by Liaño and Oblak of 18 goals conceded.
Potential starting XI for FC Barcelona against Girona:
Ter Stegen
Sergi Roberto - Araújo - Koundé - Balde
Kessié - Busquets - Gavi
Raphinha - Lewandowski - Ferran/Ansu
LaLiga Santander 2022/2023
| Classification | PTS | WM | TM | LM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Barcelona | 71 | 23 | 2 | 2 |
| 2Real Madrid | 59 | 18 | 5 | 5 |
| 3Atlético de Madrid | 57 | 17 | 6 | 5 |
*Data updated to date Apr 9th, 2023