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Barcelona vs Girona: Expected Starting XI for Supercopa de Catalunya showdown

ByChiranjib Ghosh|
BARCELONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 05: Riqui Puig of FC Barcelona conducts the ball during the Copa del Rey fourth round second leg match between FC Barcelona and Cultural Leonesa at Camp Nou on December 05, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 05: Riqui Puig of FC Barcelona conducts the ball during the Copa del Rey fourth round second leg match between FC Barcelona and Cultural Leonesa at Camp Nou on December 05, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Barcelona will face Girona for the first time in the Supercopa de Catalunya final

The Supercopa de Catalunya final is going to be the first of the two games in the build-up to the second leg of the Champions League last 16 against Lyon at the Camp Nou. Barcelona will face Girona in this relatively unimportant fixture.

The last Supercopa de Catalunya went to Espanyol in 2016, who defeated Barça by a slim margin of 1-0. But this time around, Barça will look to secure their third title at the Estadi de la Nova Creu Alta in Sabadell, albeit with a second-string side.

Expected Starting XI (4-3-3):

Goalkeeper: Jasper Cillessen
Right-back: Moussa Wagué
Centre-back(right): Chumi
Centre-back(left): Samuel Umtiti
Left-back: Juan Miranda
Central playmaker(right): Carles Aleñá
Holding midfielder: Arturo Vidal
Central playmaker(left): Riqui Puig
Right winger: Malcom
Centre-forward: Kevin-Prince Boateng
Left winger: Philippe Coutinho

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Jasper Cillessen will be returning to goal after making a quick comeback from an injury. Moussa Wagué could make his debut for the Barça first-team, while Chumi is expected to be called up to replace Gerard Piqué, who desperately needs a rest.

Samuel Umtiti is also expected to replace compatriot Clément Lenglet, and it will be his opportunity to shine amidst youngsters with his experience and talent. Juan Miranda could also star on the left in place of Jordi Alba.

In midfield, Carles Aleñá will return to the first-team after spending 4 games on the bench. Riqui Puig could also receive a call-up due to his good performances at Barça B under Xavi García Pimienta. Otherwise, Arthur will start the game against Girona.

Arturo Vidal is expected to take on the mantle of holding midfielder, giving a rest to key first-team players Ivan Rakitić and Sergio Busquets. Up front, Malcom will return to the starting lineup after a surprising absence for a long time, considering his recent performances.

Kevin-Prince Boateng will also return, after being left of the matchday squad by Ernesto Valverde for the last few games. Philippe Coutinho could get yet another shot at impressing. Notwithstanding, the trio of Luis Suárez, Ousmane Dembélé and Leo Messi will be rested.