The curse of the Anoeta was broken last season
Barcelona broke the curse of the Anoeta last season, after having lost at the stadium on five occasions before despite winning all the fixtures at the Camp Nou. But it remains to be seen whether the curse will return to haunt the team, or whether it is permanently gone.
The members of the first-team will all be tired after the UEFA Nations League and friendlies. And with the first match of the Champions League within three days of the game against Real Sociedad, Ernesto Valverde is expected to field a relatively weak team.
As a result, many of Barcelona’s new signings should be in line to make their first start for the club in the La Liga.
Expected Starting XI (4-3-3) :
Goalkeeper: Marc-André ter Stegen
Right-back: Nélson Semedo
Centre-back (right): Gerard Piqué
Centre-back (left): Clément Lenglet
Left-back: Jordi Alba
Central playmaker (right): Arturo Vidal
Central defensive midfielder: Arthur Melo
Central playmaker (left): Denis Suárez
Right forward: Lionel Messi
Centre forward: Munir
Left forward: Malcom
Marc-André ter Stegen should be in goal, with Nélson Semedo coming in to replace Sergi Roberto at right-back, who has been called up to the Spain national team by former Barça manager Luis Enrique, who has controversially left out Jordi Alba.
Since Gerard Piqué has retired from international football, the 32-year old centre-back should be fit enough to play against both Real Sociedad and PSV Eindhoven. Clément Lenglet could make his first start, replacing Samuel Umtiti, who is expected to start against the Netherlands for France.
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Jordi Alba automatically comes in at left-back, with Denis Suárez expected to make his first appearance for the club in a long time, on the left side of midfield. Arthur should be covering for Sergio Busquets, with Arturo Vidal also making his first start for the club on the right.
Of course, Leo Messi is tireless and irreplaceable. So, the Argentine maestro retains his starting spot, with Malcom coming in to cover for 21-year old French winger Ousmane Dembélé on the left.
Munir is also expected to make his first La Liga appearance for Barcelona since 2016, replacing 32-year old Uruguayan forward Luis Suárez, who scored a brace in the side’s 8-2 defeat of newly promoted Huesca.
So, first-team players Ivan Rakitić, Sergio Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Philippe Coutinho, Samuel Umtiti, Luis Suárez and Ousmane Dembélé can be rested and can be fully fit for the Champions League opener against PSV Eindhoven, a victory in which could create momentum for the club.
But regardless, this side should have enough quality to grind out a result against a side which has made a shaky start to the season, with a defeat, a win and a loss apiece. But this will be a test of character for the club’s new signings, being their first true test as Barça players.