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Barcelona vs Eibar: Predicted line-up as crucial week looms ahead

By Ernesto Hernandez

EIBAR, SPAIN - OCTOBER 19: (L-R) Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona, Sergio Alvarez of Eibar during the La Liga SmartBank match between Eibar v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Municipal de Ipurua on October 19, 2019 in Eibar Spain (Photo by Ricardo Larreina/Soccrates/Getty Images)
EIBAR, SPAIN - OCTOBER 19: (L-R) Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona, Sergio Alvarez of Eibar during the La Liga SmartBank match between Eibar v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Municipal de Ipurua on October 19, 2019 in Eibar Spain (Photo by Ricardo Larreina/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 15: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Marc Cucurella of Getafe CF and Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona battle for the ball during the Liga match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF at Camp Nou on February 15, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alejandro/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 15: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Marc Cucurella of Getafe CF and Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona battle for the ball during the Liga match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF at Camp Nou on February 15, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alejandro/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

Issues in midfield continue for Barcelona

The Barcelona midfield continues to be a concern. One of the issues under former manager Ernesto Valverde was the midfield being bypassed so easily when teams hit them on the break.

The same issued persist under Quique Setién. Despite some of the results, it seems like in every game there is a phase where the opposition is all over Barcelona with the midfield unable to help in keeping possession or maintaining control.

Both Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong are likely to start. The question is who will be the third midfielder assuming the Catalans line up in a 4-3-3. Arthur Melo is still making his way back from his injury but, all things being equal, would be the preferred choice.

Arturo Vidal came in as a late sub against Getafe and has made no secret that he wants to play more. Whether Setién placates him remains to be seen. Since the game is at home, he may feel more comfortable starting the Chilean to give the team more of a spark early on.

Should Busquets be given a rest, then we might see Ivan Rakitic start. The Croatian has been the subject of much criticism this season and has been primarily used more as a sub. He’s also come out and spoken about how he wants to play more but far less often than Vidal. Again, this all depends on how the manager is thinking given the week ahead.

Expected midfield:

Midfielder (right): Frenkie de Jong
Central midfielder: Sergio Busquets
Midfielder (left): Arthur Melo