Xavi has announced his line-up for the away game against Athletic Club. The Barcelona coach has Robert Lewandowski back, moving Ferran Torres to the left side. Ansu Fati is the child of the bill and starts in the bank. Ronald Araújo is suspended, which is resolved by moving Sergi Roberto back one line. Frenkie de Jong is in the starting line-up as usual. The match starts at 9 p.m. and can be seen on Ziggo Sport and Ziggo Sports Select.
Lewandowski has been out of the last two games due to injury and Xavi will be happy to be the goalgetter again. He will be flanked on Sunday evening by Ferran and Raphinha, who are posted on the left and right respectively. The midfield is formed by Sergio Busquets, De Jong and Gavi. Super talent Pedri has been missing for some time due to a muscle injury and is therefore not there. The same applies to the suspended Araújo, who sees Sergi Roberto take his place in defence. Jules Koundé therefore moves to the center, where Andreas Christensen are partner-in-crime is. Alejandro Balde (left back) and Marc-André Ter Stegen complete the eleven on the starting form at Barça.
?? BARCA XI ??#AthleticBarca pic.twitter.com/fUYyTNeIyX
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 12, 2023
Athletic has a dramatic phase in the season. The last four games yielded only one point, as a result of which the Basques have dropped to ninth place in LaLiga. For the time being, sixth place, good for a Conference League ticket, seems to be the most realistic goal. Trainer Ernesto Valverde cannot have the necessary forces on Sunday. For example, Unai Simón and Ander Herrera are struggling with Achilles tendon injuries and Jon Morcillo has to watch because of a broken collarbone. In addition, Athletic has to do without its suspended top scorer Oihan Sancet, who already scored eight LaLiga goals this season. The Iñaki brothers and Nico Williams therefore seem to be the right people to make San Mamés cheer. The last time Athletic supporters were able to celebrate a league victory over Barcelona was in August 2019.
??? Xavi praises Robert Lewandowski: “I would compare him with people like Ronaldinho and Messi — he has changed the mentality of the team. He’s our leader.” pic.twitter.com/dREwN8JLEy
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 11, 2023
Barcelona has to do it in Bilbao without Pedri and Ousmane Dembele. The former is struggling with a thigh injury, while Dembélé is suffering from a muscle injury. In addition, the suspended Ronald Aráujo is also unavailable. Xavi also received good news from the infirmary, as Robert Lewandowski is fit and available again. Barcelona is sovereign in the lead in LaLiga, although Real Madrid managed to narrow the gap to six points on Saturday. The main concerns of the Catalans lie outside the sporting. Barcelona and two former presidents of the club have been charged with bribery by the public prosecutor of a court in Catalonia. If Barcelona is found guilty, there is a risk of exclusion from the Champions League or other European tournaments.
Line-up Athletic Club:
Barcelona line-up: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Koundé, Christensen, Balde; Busquets, De Jong, Xavi; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Ferran
| No. | Team | m | W | G | v | +/- | Pnt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona | 24 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 38 | 62 |
| 2 | RealMadrid | 25 | 17 | 5 | 3 | 31 | 56 |
| 3 | Atletico Madrid | 24 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 19 | 45 |
| 4 | real society | 25 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 45 |
| 5 | RealBetis | 24 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 41 |
| 6 | Villarreal | 24 | 11 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 37 |
| 7 | Rayo Vallecano | 25 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 35 |
| 8 | Osasuna | 25 | 9 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 34 |
| 9 | Athletic Club | 24 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 33 |
| 10 | Real Majorca | 25 | 9 | 5 | 11 | -4 | 32 |
| 11 | Celta de Vigo | 25 | 8 | 7 | 10 | -5 | 31 |
| 12 | Girona | 24 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 30 |
| 13 | Seville | 25 | 7 | 7 | 11 | -11 | 28 |
| 14 | Real Valladolid | 25 | 8 | 4 | 13 | -16 | 28 |
| 15 | Espanyol | 25 | 6 | 9 | 10 | -8 | 27 |
| 16 | Cadiz | 25 | 6 | 9 | 10 | -17 | 27 |
| 17 | valencia | 25 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 0 | 26 |
| 18 | Getafe | 25 | 6 | 8 | 11 | -9 | 26 |
| 19 | Almeria | 25 | 7 | 4 | 14 | -15 | 25 |
| 20 | Elche | 25 | 2 | 7 | 16 | -30 | 13 |