Frenkie de Jong could permanently lose his base place at Barcelona. Xavi has no place for the 24-year-old midfielder in the apparently strongest starting line-up for Thursday night’s Copa del Rey game against Athletic Club. Pedri therefore starts at the starting signal. Ferran Jutglà is the most advanced man in Xavi’s 4-3-3 system, as Luuk de Jong and Memphis Depay are both unavailable.
Frenkie de Jong was relieved by Pedri last week in the semi-final of the Supercopa against Real Madrid. The Dutchman has recently received a lot of criticism because of his game and now seems to be experiencing the consequences. Sergio Busquets and Gavi also started in the starting line-up against Real, but keep their place in midfield.
Compared to the Supercopa duel, Ousmane Dembélé is also missing on the starting form. The Frenchman has indicated that he does not want to extend his expiring contract and has therefore been banned from playing. Ez Abde replaces Dembélé in the front left. Luuk de Jong is missing through a suspension; Depay, who replaced him last week, has too much trouble with his hamstring. That is why Jutglà may start from Xavi. Sergiño Dest can hope for a substitute: the wing defender starts on the bench.
Athletic Club line-up: Agirrezabala, De Marcos, Vivian, Iñigo Martínez, Berchiche; Nico Williams, Dani Garcia, Vesga, Muniain; Sancet, Raul Garcia
Barcelona lineup: Ter Stegen, Alves, Araújo, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Pedri, Gavi; Ferran Torres, Jutgla, Ez Abde