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Barcelona take to the sphere one final time earlier than the October worldwide break on Sunday afternoon, dealing with off towards Deportivo Alaves in La Liga.
The Catalan giants have made a exceptional begin to the Hansi Flick period and have gained seven of their opening eight matches in La Liga. Their sole defeat did come final weekend, nevertheless, with a shock 4-2 loss by the hands of Osasuna permitting their title rivals to make floor on them.
Barca returned to profitable methods midweek within the Champions League however might be determined to keep away from one other slip-up earlier than La Liga’s imminent hiatus. With accidents wreaking havoc on La Blaugrana’s squad – particularly in midfield – a visit to mid-table Alaves might not be easy.
Right here is how Barca might line up this weekend.
GK: Inaki Pena – Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s damage has opened the door for Pena, who’s prone to be displaced by emergency signing Wojciech Szczesny within the coming weeks. In the meanwhile he might be eager to make the most of a uncommon run of begins.
RB: Jules Kounde – Regardless of a flurry of accidents throughout Barca’s squad, Kounde has proved a dependable supplier at right-back thus far this season. He and his defensive teammates have solely managed one clear sheet of their final six outings, although.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – There is no relaxation for Cubarsi, who might be requested to kind a centre-back pairing but once more this Sunday. Barca have to be cautious to not overwork the 17-year-old as they’ve completed with different academy graduates lately.
CB: Inigo Martinez – A aim and an help is a fairly snazzy return for a centre-back, with Martinez providing simply that within the 5-0 demolition of Younger Boys midweek. The veteran has been utilised greater than he would have anticipated this time period.
LB: Alejandro Balde – The 4-2 defeat to Osasuna confirmed the risks of rotating your defence towards first-division opposition and Flick is unlikely to make the identical mistake twice, with Balde returning instead of Hector Fort at left-back.
DM: Marc Casado – One of many silver linings of Barca’s damage points has been the blossoming of Casado in holding midfield. The teenager already appears to be like like an skilled metronome within the engine room.
DM: Pedri – Seemed rather more spectacular towards Younger Boys alongside Casado than he did towards Osasuna whereas partnering Eric Garcia. He’ll act as Barca’s deep-lying playmaker on Sunday together with his beautiful passing vary.
RW: Lamine Yamal – An infectious footballer who has solely constructed upon his Euro 2024 brilliance in a Barca shirt this season, Yamal might be on the coronary heart of every little thing for La Blaugrana at Alaves.
AM: Raphinha – The Brazilian is within the type of his life at current and registered a couple of extra aim contributions towards Younger Boys. Whether or not in an attacking midfield position or out huge, he is borderline unstoppable proper now.
LW: Ferran Torres – Overshadowed by his extra spectacular friends, Torres might have some extent to show this weekend. He is now underwhelmed in successive matches and Flick will solely be affected person with him for thus lengthy.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Lewandowski’s renaissance underneath Flick has been spectacular, albeit his requirements have by no means fallen too far. The sharpshooter already has seven targets and two assists in LA Liga alone.
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