Barcelona vs Eibar : Expected Starting XI for La Liga clash

Barcelona and Eibar have a colourful history in the La Liga

EIBAR, SPAIN – MARCH 06: Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona duels for the ball with Daniel Garcia of SD Eibar during the La Liga match between SD Eibar and FC Barcelona at Ipurua Municipal Stadium on March 6, 2016 in Eibar, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /

Eibar’s life after promotion in 2014 has followed the same route as Bournemouth’s in the Premier League. After a tough first season, the Basque club bounced back to surprise everyone by surviving relegation. And last season, they solidified their La Liga reputation by finishing 10th.

Barcelona have played Eibar six times, keeping a 100% record. But the games have all been very eventful. Nearly all the match-ups have produced three or more goals, with both sides receiving red cards once.

Squad –

Goalkeeper : Marc-André ter Stegen, Jasper Cillessen

Left-back : Jordi Alba, Lucas Digne

Centre-back : Gerard Piqué, Thomas Vermaelen, Javier Mascherano

Right-back : Nélson Semedo, Aleix Vidal

Defensive midfielder : Sergio Busquets, Paulinho

Playmaker : Denis Suárez, Ivan Rakitić, Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Busquets

Left forward : Gerard Deulofeu

Centre forward : Luis Suárez

Right forward : Lionel Messi

Notable exclusions : Samuel Umtiti, Paco Álcacer, André Gomes, Arda Turan(general), Ousmane Dembélé, Rafinha(injury)

Expected XI –

Goalkeeper : Marc-André ter Stegen

Right-back : Nélson Semedo

Centre-back(right) : Gerard Piqué

Centre-back(left) : Javier Mascherano

Left-back : Jordi Alba

Defensive midfielder : Paulinho

Playmaker(right) : Ivan Rakitić

Playmaker(left) : Andrés Iniesta(captain)

Left forward : Gerard Deulofeu

Centre forward : Luis Suárez

Right forward : Lionel Messi(vice-captain)

Ernesto Valverde made good managerial decisions in the last game against Getafe. He took off Andrés Iniesta in half-time, bringing on Denis Suárez and in the 77th minute, he took off Ivan Rakitić and brought on Paulinho.

It gave the first-team players a rest. And even more importantly, the substitutes scored each of Barcelona’s goals to edge out Getafe. But Sergio Busquets played the entirety of the match and Ernesto Valverde should be resting him for this match.

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Instead, goalscorer Paulinho should get an opportunity to prove his worth. Also, the rested Nélson Semedo should be returning to the starting Xi for this tie. He has already shown an understanding with his teammates and can provide the incisive edge that Aleix Vidal cannot give to the team.

But the two players who will have a point to prove are Luis Suárez and Gerard Deulofeu. Suárez has not shown his incisive touch so far this season. He has lacked any sort of understanding with his teammates, not even with Lionel Messi. He will need to step up his game if he is to retain his spot in the lineup.

But the case for Gerard Deulofeu is completely different. With Ousmane Dembélé out for up to four months with a hamstring injury, Deulofeu has the opportunity to nail down a spot in the first-team.

He has already shown signs of brilliance, but he is yet to become the ultimate creative force on the flanks. He needs to build up some understanding with Nélson Semedo if he wants to stand out.

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But nonetheless, Barcelona should be winning this tie with ease.

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