FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez will make three big line up changes to his team when it takes on Athletic Club for a La Liga clash in Bilbao Sunday night.
With bitter rivals Real Madrid drawing 2-2 at Valencia in controversial fashion on Saturday evening, a win for Barca can see them cut the title race leaders’ advantage to just six points.
That will be easier said than done in San Mames, however, where the hosts are on a high after reaching the Copa del Rey final on Thursday.
Furthermore, ex-Barca boss Ernesto Valverde’s men have the momentum against the Catalans after dumping them out of that competiton in brutal extra time fashion last month.
Xavi maintains his belief that the Blaugrana played well in the 4-2 loss yet knows that improvements must be made.
He wants his players to play “more vertical” than they did at one of Spain’s most hostile grounds last time round, and also wishes to see them “be more effective”.
“I think it was a good match. We have to dominate the game more,” Xavi added.
Xavi can take courage from a 4-0 home win against Getafe last weekend which was one of the best performances of a thus far rocky season.
He has noticed improvements in his side, who he sees as “more responsible, more competitive, [and] with more dynamism”.
“But we have to show it in every game,” Xavi demanded.
Despite the show put on for fans at the Montjuic Stadium, Xavi will make changes and drop one of his goalscorers from that rainy Saturday afternoon.
Raphinha made a roaring starting return from injury with a goal and assist and won’t be snubbed for Lamine Yamal on the right wing.
According to SPORT, though, Barca will prioritize his sale this summer alongside that of Jules Kounde.
But the left side of attack, there is no space for Joao Felix as four midfielders are used and Pedri is the false left winger.
Placed in the middle of the two Spain internationals is striker Robert Lewandowski, but we could expect to see Brazilian pairing Vitor Roque and Raphinha come in at some stage of the proceedings.
In the center of the park, defender Andreas Christensen provides pivot support to Frenkie de Jong and Ilkay Gundogan.
Along the back line, Pau Cubarsi gets the nod meaning that that Inigo Martinez can star in his former home.
Joao Cancelo is the left back, as Martinez joins Araujo and Kounde is placed on the other channel.
With Sergi Roberto benched, Marc-Andre ter Stegen is the skipper between the sticks.
