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Barcelona : Who will get the axe to pave the way for LSDC?

By Chiranjib Ghosh

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Andres Iniesta of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on February 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Andres Iniesta of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on February 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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The necks of many players are on the line with the advent of LSDC

SPAIN – JANUARY 11: Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona celebrates 3-0 with Andre Gomes of Barca, Lionel Messi of Barca, Sergio Busquets of Barca, Andries Iniesta of Barca, Ivan Rakitic of Barca during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between FC Barcelona v Celta de Vigo at the Camp Nou on January 11, 2018 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by Laurens Lindhout/Soccrates/Getty Images)
SPAIN – JANUARY 11: Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona celebrates 3-0 with Andre Gomes of Barca, Lionel Messi of Barca, Sergio Busquets of Barca, Andries Iniesta of Barca, Ivan Rakitic of Barca during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between FC Barcelona v Celta de Vigo at the Camp Nou on January 11, 2018 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by Laurens Lindhout/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Ernesto Valverde has finally found the perfect attacking combo with the star quartet of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Ousmane Dembélé and Philippe Coutinho. And the manager is intent of making LSDC a success, having recently stated that Dembélé needs to improve his defensive work rate to replace Ivan Rakitić on the right hand side of midfield.

But with the introduction of Coutinho on the left, and Dembélé on the right, Andrés Iniesta and Ivan Rakitić will have to drop of their wide midfield roles. Of course, both of these players are of utmost importance in the squad and would be wasted on the bench.

But if LSDC is to start, one of them must settle for a spot on the bench. Sergio Busquets is a constant in central midfield, as he is the glue that holds the team together, but the question is, who will partner Busquets in central midfield?

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Rakitić seems to be the obvious option, considering that he is a deep-lying playmaker and can help out Busquets with his defensive duties, and can perform the transition from defence to attack. He is also tireless, which is a prerequisite for a role like this.

On the other hand, Iniesta is a legend and has too much talent to be left on the bench. His contribution to the side would be a helping hand in attack, and picking out passes of great difficulty. But he would not be able to do much in attack.

An option would have to be, starting the game with Andrés Iniesta and substituting him for Ivan Rakitić at or after half-time. But Rakitić seems to be the more prudent option, considering that Iniesta is ageing and has neither the skill-set nor the stamina to perform in that role.

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But on the other hand, Iniesta is the captain of the team and is one of the best playmakers in the world. Ernesto Valverde should work out an arrangement that would keep both the Croat and the Spaniard happy, if he does decide to play LSDC.