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Barcelona’s predicted XI versus Granada: Quique Setien’s first match in-charge

By Ernesto Hernandez

Barcelona players attend a public training session at the Joan Gamper Sports City training ground in Sant Joan Despi on January 5, 2020. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona players attend a public training session at the Joan Gamper Sports City training ground in Sant Joan Despi on January 5, 2020. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Barcelona look to start off the Quique Setien era on the right foot when they take on Granada at the Camp Nou.

Quique Setien’s first game in charge at Barcelona will be against a Granada side who already beat the Catalans earlier in the season.

The good news for Setien is the game will take place at the Camp Nou. The bad news is he’s going to have a less than full strength squad at his disposal.

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Frenkie de Jong is suspended after picking up a red card in their last game against Espanyol. Luis Suarez is injured and is unlikely to be able to count on him for the rest of the season.

Both Arthur Melo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen were back in training but neither have received the medical green light.

Nevertheless, Barcelona should have more than enough to get past 10th place Granada.

Expected Starting XI (4-3-3):

Goalkeeper: Ter Stegen
Right-back: Sergi Roberto
Centre-back (right): Gerard Pique
Centre-back (left): Clement Lenglet
Left-back: Jordi Alba
Midfielder (right): Arturo Vidal
Central midfielder: Sergio Busquets
Midfielder (left): Ivan Rakitic
Right winger: Lionel Messi
Centre forward: Antoine Griezmann
Left winger: Ansu Fati

According to Diario Sport, all signs indicate that Ter Stegen should get the go ahead by the time the game rolls around.

In midfield, Setien has called up Riqui Puig so he could play instead of either Rakitic or Vidal. The academy player was frozen out under Valverde but seems to be of the new coach’s liking.

With the Suarez injury, Griezmann is likely to slot into the striker position with Ansu Fati beating out Carles Perez for the spot on the left-wing.

Since it will be Setien’s first game as manager, expectations have to be realistic. Barcelona are not going to do a complete 180-turn in a matter of days. Implementing Setien’s style is going to take time.

Next. Lionel Messi and Quique Setien agree on five new signings. dark

But at the very least, he may bring back the enjoyment people had when watching Barca.

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