Barcelona will aim to keep the feel-good factor going on Sunday evening, hosting Getafe as they turn attentions back to La Liga.
Xavi has seen his side overcome Real B*tis and then Real Madrid to lift the Supercopa de Espana as well as secure Copa del Rey progression since last playing in the league, when they beat Atletico Madrid 1-0.
They’re in sizzling form, sitting three points clear of their El Clasico rivals at the top of the league and having won nine and drawn one of their previous ten across all competitions.
Getafe, by comparison, sit a point above the relegation zone having won just once in their past five league outings. Here’s how La Blaugrana could line up to get another three points on the board.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – The 30-year-old has played every minute of his side’s La Liga campaign thus far, conceding just six in 16 appearances and keeping a league-high 12 clean sheets so far.
RB: Ronald Araujo – Rested last time out but should be brought back into the side, having started three in four since returning from injury.
CB: Jules Kounde – Can swap with Araujo to play either in the middle or on the right, but will certainly feature in any case, having also been left out in their cup progression last time out.
CB: Andreas Christensen – Has proved a very good signing for Xavi’s side and will surely retain his spot, having started the last three league games for his side.
LB: Alejandro Balde – The 19-year-old’s hugely impressive performances this season have dislodged Jordi Alba’s long-standing monopoly at left-back, as he’s started ed13 of the club’s 16 league outings thus far.
DM: Sergio Busquets – Talking of long-standing, Busquets isn’t going anywhere. The Blaugrana icon is set to skipper his side for a 13th time this campaign.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – Has only missed La Liga action through injury this term and, having been rested against Ceuta, should be raring to go here.
CM: Pedri – One of the brightest footballing sparks on the planet, Pedri’s influence at Barcelona is only growing and growing. He was also left out in the Catalan giants’ last outing but, after scoring in their 3-1 Supercopa victory over Real, will likely be reinstated.
RW: Ousmane Dembele – Scored on his first start back from the World Cup and should also be a big name to be brought back into the starting XI for this one.
ST: Ansu Fati – Robert Lewandowski remains suspended for this one so we could see Ansu Fati, who has netted three in his last six in all competitions, deputise.
LW: Gavi – Another starlet shining bright for this Barcelona side, Gavi has missed very little football this term and, after scoring and assisting two in that Supercopa final El Clasico win, the 18-year-old should start here.
Credit: 90min.com
