Yamal, Fermin start in a 4-3-3: How Barcelona could line up against Almeria

Barcelona will bring down the curtains on the first half of the 2023/24 season with a home game against bottom feeders UD Almeria tonight at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

While their opponents are without a win in the ongoing La Liga campaign, the Blaugrana are looking to snap a three-game winless run in all competitions.

So, there is plenty at stake for both sides heading into tonight’s clash, with Barcelona keen on closing down the nine-point gap to league leaders Girona.

However, the Catalan heavyweights will have to do so without two of their best players on the field as Frenkie de Jong is suspended for the match while Pedri is out with a fresh muscle injury.

Barça are also without Gavi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez, and Marcos Alonso for the game tonight. In what is a must-win game for Xavi Hernandez, here’s how he could set up his Barcelona team against Gaizka Garitano’s men at the Montjuic Stadium.

Starters

With no Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inaki Pena is the undisputed starter between the sticks for Barcelona for the game against Almeria tonight.

The manager is unlikely to make many alterations to the defensive line, although there is a strong possibility that Andreas Christensen will step into the side in place of Jules Kounde.

Meanwhile, Joao Cancelo, Ronald Araujo, and Alejandro Balde should retain their spots. Cancelo is just a booking away from getting suspended for the next game and must be wary of the same.

The midfield department poses a lot of questions for Xavi due to the unavailability of Frenkie de Jong and Pedri due to suspension and injury, respectively.

Ilkay Gundogan, who has played the most number of minutes for Barça this season, is a guaranteed starter in the centre of the park, likely as one of the interior midfielders. Fermin Lopez should partner him as the second advanced midfielder for the home team.

That leaves the pivot position vacant, with Oriol Romeu and Marc Casado vying for the spot. But, the manager will likely count on the experienced Romeu despite his last appearance against Royal Antwerp ending badly.

Raphinha had a forgettable outing against Valencia over the weekend and will thus likely be shunned to the bench tonight. In his place, young Lamine Yamal is expected to start on the right flank for Barcelona.

Joao Felix, who was on target against Valencia, should feature again on the left while the misfiring Robert Lewandowski is likely to retain his place as the Catalans’ No. 9, ahead of Ferran Torres.

Barcelona Predicted Lineup: Pena, Cancelo, Araujo, Christensen, Balde, Fermin, Romeu, Gundogan, Yamal, Lewandowski, Joao Felix.

Substitutes

If he is not starting, Marc Casado is certain to come on and make his La Liga debut against Almeria tonight at Montjuic. Ferran Torres is another player who is bound to get minutes in the second period for Barcelona.

Raphinha will likely be called upon by the manager at some point especially if things are not going Barcelona’s way in the attacking third. Meanwhile, captain Sergi Roberto could be an option for any of the three midfield positions or even at right-back.