Defense
Since Koeman is going to give some playing time to players who need it, Neto will take over for Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal. The Brazilian goalkeeper had asked for a move during this transfer window but Koeman ruled against it as he sees him as an important and experienced backup keeper.
The news coming out of his press conference was the absence of Sergiño Dest. According to Mundo Deportivo, the American right-back has an injury to his thigh and will be unavailable for this match and might not even be fit in time for the Elche match. Given his absence, Oscar Mingueza will fill in at right-back.
Ronald Araujo and Samuel Umtiti will be the center-back duo. The former also played every minute of Barcelona’s last two matches. The latter will be given another opportunity to prove he can be counted on. Something the club would like to see given the continued poor form of Clement Lenglet.
Junior Firpo will get the nod at left-back over Jordi Alba. Firpo was another player who was rumored with a move away but kept since there are no other options in that position.