Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao: Expected starting XI for pivotal match

By Benjamin Barkworth | Sep 28, 2018

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 26: teamphoto FC Barcelona back row (L-R) Marc Andre ter Stegen of FC Barcelona, Samuel Umtiti of FC Barcelona, Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona, Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona, Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona, Thomas Vermaelen of FC Barcelona front row (L-R) Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona, Sergi Roberto of FC Barcelona, Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona, Munir El Haddadi of FC Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Leganes v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque on September 26, 2018 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Barcelona need a strong response in this match if they are to move on from their recent slump.

It’s been a hugely disappointing week for Barcelona as they have only picked up one point in the matches against Girona and Leganes, although Real lost to Sevilla so they are level on points at the top. Both sides highlighted defensive issues that the Catalans currently have, which Bilbao will be aiming to take advantage of.

This match is the start of a tough six-game run that includes matches against Inter Milan, Sevilla and Real Madrid. Therefore, they can’t afford to be below par during this spell if they are to come away with an acceptable amount of points.

Expected Starting XI (4-3-3)

Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Nelson Semedo, Samuel Umtiti, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba

Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Arthur Melo

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho

A tactical change such as moving to a 3-5-2 would be a bold way to address the defensive problems Barcelona are having, but Ernesto Valverde is likely to do something less radical such as switching personnel or making minor tweaks. He showed during his first season that he is an astute tactician as he solved chronic flaws to come away with a domestic double.

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Bilbao are likely to set up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1 if they intend to press high to disrupt Barcelona’s build-up play. Therefore, having Arthur in the midfield three and pushing Coutinho into an advanced position gives them a disciplined midfield three capable of playing through a press as well as ensuring the forwards receive possession in dangerous areas.

Dembele loses out in Coutinho moving forwards because he did little against Leganes, although no one in the team put in a strong display and he certainly wasn’t the worst performer. Suarez has been back to his usual terrorising best, aside from the Leganes match, so he starts.

Roberto and Pique make way in their respective positions due to individual errors that have accumulated in recent games. Semedo deserves a consistent run of games to show his worth seen as he is the only natural right-back. This should also help him build up an understanding with Messi on that flank through the runs he makes.

Umtiti has to play slightly out of position to accommodate Pique’s departure, but it shouldn’t be too hard for him to adjust. However, the French defender won’t be able to play against Tottenham due to suspension, which presents Valverde with another selection headache. Lenglet only getting a one-game suspension, which he served against Leganes, was certainly timely.

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Bilbao are usually a tough opponent and this game is unlikely to be any different. It will be interesting to see whether Los Leones opt to play direct and utilise the space in the channels with a quick transition when they regain possession as well as whether Barca can successfully deal with this.