Torre, Kessie start in a 4-3-3: How Barcelona could line up against Intercity | Copa del Rey

Barcelona will hope to return to winning ways tonight as they take on Intercity in the Copa del Rey Round of 32. The Catalans fell to a 1-1 draw against Espanyol on the weekend, erasing their two-point advantage over Real Madrid in the La Liga table.

Barça are record-winners of the Copa del Rey, but failed to reach that peak last season, falling to defeat against Athletic Club in the Round of 16.

Xavi has repeated time and again that they want to win every single competition they are participating in this season, and the Copa del Rey is no exception.

However, they have called up a strong squad for the game against the third-division side, resting just two of their key players in Robert Lewandowski and Pedri. Barça Universal takes a stab at how Xavi could set up his team tonight.

Defence

Inaki Pena was awarded official promotion and a first-team number yesterday, with the Spaniard taking over the reserve goalkeeper’s #13. He will likely start over Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal.

Ahead of him, we will probably see a back-four, starting with Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo in the heart of the defence.

They will be flanked with Hector Bellerin on the right side, with Alejandro Balde coming back in at left-back after an extended rest across the international break and the game against Espanyol.

Midfield

Sergio Busquets was rested on the weekend, but is expected to return to defensive midfield against Intercity. Frenkie de Jong will likely be rested tonight, with fans hoping he starts against Atletico Madrid instead.

Pablo Torre has been included in the travelling list, and could receive the nod to start in central midfield. The 19-year-old scored a goal the last time he stepped on the pitch for the senior team against Viktoria Plzen, and will hope to impress Xavi once again.

Unquestionably, the midfield trident will be rounded off with Franck Kessie. The Ivorian is returning from injury and will get his sixth start of the season across all competitions.

Attack

With Robert Lewandowski rested, the responsibility to lead the line will fall on Memphis Depay in all probability. The Dutchman has not played a game for Barça since September, and could be on his way out soon enough.

On the right wing, Xavi could give Raphinha his second successive start after a semi-solid display against Espanyol. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembele will likely start from the bench, keeping him fresh for the Atletico Madrid clash.

Ansu Fati was less than convincing on the weekend, and therefore, Ferran Torres is expected to replace him on the left wing.

Predicted Barcelona XI:

Torres · Memphis · Raphinha
Torre · Busquets · Kessie
Alonso · Eric · Araujo · Bellerin
Pena

Substitutes

One of the first players that could be called upon from the bench is Ansu Fati. The teenager needs to win back his confidence, and can only do that with a continuous run of minutes.

Frenkie de Jong could replace either one of Kessie or Busquets after being hooked in the second half against Espanyol. The same goes for Sergi Roberto, who could get some minutes in his preferred midfield role.

And surely, Xavi will want to bring on Ousmane Dembele to keep him match-fit for the game against Atletico on the weekend.