Official: Barcelona squad list vs Real Sociedad announced

It has been an enjoyable March for Barcelona, who despite being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League, have performed memorably in most of their games, giving fans a lot to be hopeful about. The onus is on the team to continue this incredible run of form as they travel to the Basque Country to take on Real Sociedad.

Ronald Koeman has called up 22 players that will make the trip to San Sebastian. Ronald Araujo returned from injury in the previous gameweek, coming off the bench to play the remaining 1/3rd of the game vs Huesca. On the contrary, Gerard Pique still does not make the cut after picking up a relapse of his knee injury.

Ilaix Moriba has already played more minutes than Riqui Puig and Miralem Pjanic in just five games, and his performances have given the fans a lot to be hopeful about. He, too, receives the nod in the midfield, alongside Puig and Pjanic.

It will be Lionel Messi’s chance to become Barcelona’s undisputed all-time top appearance maker, overtaking Xavi. Given the importance of the fixture, there seems to be little to no chance that he is rested tomorrow.

The squad for #RealSociedadBarça! pic.twitter.com/mpNyWpcv6Q

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 20, 2021

Full list: ter Stegen, Neto, Tenas; Dest, Mingueza, Araujo, Lenglet, Umtiti, Alba, Firpo; Busquets, Matheus, Ilaix, de Jong, Pedri, Puig, Pjanic; Braithwaite, Dembele, Messi, Trincão, Griezmann

Absentees: Araújo (ankle), Piqué (knee), Sergi Roberto (calf), Philippe Coutinho (knee), Ansu Fati (knee)

There is not much to take away from this list of players, but with the inclusion of Araujo in the team-sheet, Koeman can continue playing with his preferred three-man defence and deploy Frenkie de Jong in the midfield. Atletico Madrid will be facing a relegation-struck Deportivo Alaves, and there is no scope of complacency tomorrow.