Barcelona vs Real Sociedad: Expected Starting XI for league fixture
Barcelona will face 10th-placed Real Sociedad at home in the La Liga
It is officially European season with the Champions League at its business end. But Barcelona cannot afford to drop more points in the La Liga after drawing against rock-bottom Huesca with a second-string side in order to keep the first-team fit for the UCL quarter-final.
Atlético Madrid are totally focused on the league after being eliminated from all other competitions, and will eventually catch up if Barça don’t cut the slack. So, winning against Real Sociedad is imperative, especially considering that the Basque side have been inconsistent.
Expected Starting XI (4-3-3):
Goalkeeper: Marc-André ter Stegen
Right-back: Nélson Semedo
Centre-back(right): Jeison Murillo
Centre-back(left): Samuel Umtiti
Left-back: Juan Miranda
Central playmaker(right): Carles Aleñá
Holding midfielder: Jean-Clair Todibo
Central playmaker(left): Arturo Vidal
Right winger: Malcom
Centre-forward: Kevin-Prince Boateng
Left winger: Ousmane Dembélé
Sergi Roberto is expected to be rested, with Nélson Semedo replacing him. Both players have been equally impressive in recent times. Gerard Piqué could be given a breather, with Jeison Murillo getting some minutes. It is very likely that Samuel Umtiti also makes the starting lineup.
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There were doubts regarding his fitness earlier this week, but the World Cup winner has allayed those fears and is all set to take over from compatriot Clément Lenglet in defence. At left-back, Juan Miranda could make his second league appearance in a row.
Carles Aleñá is sure to return to the first-team, along with regular substitute Arturo Vidal. Jean-Clair Todibo could fill in as the defensive midfielder after impressing against Huesca. In fact, the young Frenchman made his Barça debut in midfield.
Malcom is also set to return to the starting lineup, along with Kevin-Prince Boateng. Ousmane Dembélé is also expected to start in order to regain match sharpness. The stars will probably be rested for the trip to Alavés, who are having a very good season.
But in case things go awry, the big names should be on the bench. Boateng has been especially poor, and Luis Suárez could spice things up as a second-half substitute. The same goes for Lionel Messi, as well as Philippe Coutinho.
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But the likes of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba should be excluded from the matchday squad. Ernesto Valverde should name his squad keeping the first leg of the Champions League semi-final in mind.