Joan Garcia, Lamine start in a 4-2-3-1 – How Barcelona can line up against Athletic Club

Saturday afternoon shall be a particular second for FC Barcelona and their followers as they lastly make their long-awaited comeback to the Spotify Camp Nou, once they tackle Athletic Membership.

For over 900 days, the Blaugrana have been away from their iconic stadium as redevelopment work was carried out as a part of the Espai Barça mission.

And whereas there’s nonetheless quite a bit left to do, Barça return to the stadium, with round 45,000 followers set to be in attendance for the momentous event.

The goal for Hansi Flick & co. shall be to mark the event with a superb efficiency and a victory to ship the followers again dwelling stuffed with pleasure.

Nonetheless, it may not be as simple in opposition to a tough Athletic Membership outfit, though Ernesto Valverde’s males have had a moderately abnormal begin to the season and haven’t gained an away league recreation in opposition to Barça in over twenty years.

Flick will welcome key gamers Joan Garcia and Raphinha again from damage, however Pedri stays unavailable, Frenkie de Jong is suspended, and Marcus Rashford is a doubt on account of sickness.

With that being stated, right here’s how Barcelona may take the sphere on the reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou in opposition to Athletic.

Defence

Hansi Flick confirmed in his press convention earlier at present that Joan Garcia, again to full health, will take his rightful place within the Barcelona objective. The Spanish shot-stopper’s return shall be a significant enhance for the Catalans, who’ve appeared susceptible at instances this season.

In the meantime, the line of defense ought to see Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde line up because the full-backs on the precise and left sides, respectively.

As for the central positions, there is no such thing as a trying previous Pau Cubarsi, who’s a everlasting fixture for Flick when match and accessible. He may seemingly be partnered by stand-in captain Ronald Araujo, as Eric Garcia’s providers is likely to be wanted elsewhere.

Midfield

As talked about earlier than, Barcelona are with out each their beginning midfielders, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, for tomorrow’s contest. With Gavi additionally dominated out, Hansi Flick is brief on numbers within the centre of the park.

Whereas Marc Bernal is an choice, the supervisor has been very cautious with the teenager’s reintegration after his restoration from ACL damage.

As such, the most probably final result is that Marc Casado begins within the centre of the park, after being withdrawn from the lineup in opposition to Celta Vigo proper earlier than kickoff, alongside versatile star Eric Garcia.

In the meantime, Fermin Lopez should get the nod because the attacking midfielder, forward of Dani Olmo, who did make an honest impression after changing Casado within the crew vs Celta.

Assault

Whereas Raphinha is again, the Brazilian winger just isn’t prepared to begin a recreation. And with Marcus Rashford having not skilled for 2 days in a row on account of a fever, Ferran Torres may very well be moved to the left flank in opposition to Athletic Membership.

It could depart the centre-forward slot open for Robert Lewandowski, who has been in red-hot kind since coming back from damage.

Lamine Yamal, in the meantime, will take up his customary place on the precise wing and look to mild up the Camp Nou on his second look on the stadium.