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Real Sociedad vs Barcelona: Expected Starting XI for Anoeta clash

By Chiranjib Ghosh

VALLADOLID, SPAIN - AUGUST 25: Ernesto Valverde of FC Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between Real Valladolid CF and FC Barcelona at Jose Zorrilla on August 25, 2018 in Valladolid, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
VALLADOLID, SPAIN - AUGUST 25: Ernesto Valverde of FC Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between Real Valladolid CF and FC Barcelona at Jose Zorrilla on August 25, 2018 in Valladolid, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /
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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.

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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.

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