Gundogan, Pedri start in a 4-3-3: How Barcelona could line up against Getafe

Reigning La Liga champions FC Barcelona will begin the defence of their league title tonight when they lock horns with Getafe away at Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

Coming into the season as the champions, the pressure is on Xavi Hernandez and his men to live up to the expectations that come along with that status.

Pre-season preparations have been decent enough, with three wins in four matches, even though the Catalans have not been at their best.

And the aim will be to kickstart the campaign on a winning note, especially with arch-rivals Real Madrid emerging victorious in their season opener against Athletic Club on Saturday.

Xavi will be without new signing Inigo Martinez for the game, with the defender yet to recover fully from his injury. But, Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen are fit and available for selection which comes as a relief.

Here’s how Barcelona could line up against Jose Bordalas’ men at Coliseum Alfonso Perez later tonight.

Starters

Without a doubt, Marc-Andre ter Stegen will start in goal for Barcelona and could very well captain the team with first skipper Sergi Roberto unlikely to be included in the lineup.

Shielding the German international should be the centre-back pairing of Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia, with Andreas Christensen unlikely to be risked after his injury.

While Christensen might be held back, Ronald Araujo is expected to start, having recovered from his minor discomfort, with the Uruguayan once again slotting in as the right-back. Alejandro Balde, meanwhile, should start as the left-back.

The midfield department is where Xavi has some major thinking to do as far as his team selection is concerned.

Oriol Romeu seems like a certain bet to appear from the kickoff after his impressive showings in pre-season. The new signing will slot in as the lone pivot for the La Liga champions.

Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong, Ilkay Gundogan, Pedri, and Gavi will contend for the two interior midfield positions.

Ultimately, though, Xavi might opt to go with De Jong and Gundogan in midfield, with Pedri operating as the false left-winger in the lineup. Their guile, creativity, and vision will be crucial against Getafe’s low block, and as such, they could be preferred over Gavi.

Ferran Torres has staked a claim for a starting berth on the back of his impressive displays in pre-season, but Xavi is expected to stick with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski to complete the lineup for Barcelona against Getafe.

Barcelona Predicted XI: Ter Stegen, Araujo, Kounde, Eric, Balde, De Jong, Romeu, Gundogan, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Pedri.

Substitutes

Ferran Torres’ recent form all but ensures that he will come on in the second half and he will be eager to score a goal or two. Ansu Fati, who has also shown signs of returning to his best level, will receive minutes at some point in the second period.

Lamine Yamal, meanwhile, is pretty much certain to come on after his heroics off the bench against Tottenham in the Joan Gamper Trophy match. There could be minutes for one or both of Ez Abde and Fermin Lopez depending on the game situation.