Felix, Pedri start in a 4-3-3: How Barcelona could lineup against Girona

Coming off an impressive 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid at home, Barcelona will now take on inarguably the most impressive side in La Liga this season in Girona. The Catalan outfit are second in the table, level on points with Real Madrid, and four clear off Xavi’s men.

The Catalans seem to have found their groove again, and are on the way up, with solid performances against Porto, and even better against Atletico Madrid.

Xavi will have to, however, work on the finishing problems the team clearly has. While the overall display is solid, the team seems incapable of converting more than one or two chances per game, which usually comes back to haunt them.

Ahead of the game against Girona, Barcelona have a chunk of their squad back in action, with Andreas Christensen also reporting to training today after the birth of his child in Denmark.

Barça Universal looks at how Xavi could setup his team for the big game tomorrow.

Defence

Marc-Andre ter Stegen decided to undergo surgery for an injury to his back, and will miss the next few months while recovering. Xavi, meanwhile, made it clear that the team has no intention of signing a new goalkeeper, with Inaki Pena taking his place in goal.

With Inigo Martinez expected to be out until January, Andreas Christensen‘s place in central defence is almost guaranteed. The Dane will partner Ronald Araujo in the backline as the Uruguayan holds the captain’s armband in Sergi Roberto and ter Stegen’s absence.

For the first time since he displaced Jordi Alba from the left-back position last season, Alejandro Balde could start three straight games on the bench, with Joao Cancelo in spectacular form playing in that position.

The final piece in the backline will likely be Jules Kounde, who put in an excellent shift against Atletico Madrid, creating some chances, and holding the fort defensively as well.

Midfield

Gavi was arguably Barcelona’s best player of the season till he picked up a terrible ACL injury while playing for Spain on international duty last month. While Barcelona have dearly missed him in midfield, they have three world class players to cover.

Ilkay Gundogan and Frenkie de Jong will be the deepest of the trident, exchanging responsibility in a makeshift double pivot as the latter takes charge as the first receiver from the defence.

Gundo, meanwhile, was the best player on the pitch against Atleti, and Barcelona fans will hope he can replicate his performance tomorrow.

Pedri will take charge as the most advanced interior, breaking lines in the final third as the primary creator in the team.

Attack

Robert Lewandowski has inarguably been the least impressive player in this starting lineup over the last few weeks, unable to convert chances put on a plate for him. Despite that, his starting spot is not under contention as he will continue as the no. 9.

The other two positions have a lot of competition, but we expect Xavi to not make any changes there, either, especially after Raphinha‘s brilliant display last weekend. The Brazilian stepped on the gas, and came away with an assist.

The goal, meanwhile, was scored by Joao Felix, who is expected to retain his spot over Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal on the left wing.

Felix · Lewandowski · Raphinha
de Jong · Gundogan · Pedri
Cancelo · Christensen · Araujo · Kounde
Pena

Substitutes

As has been the case so often this season, Xavi will continuity to all his forwards, and will most probably bring on Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal at some point in the second half depending on the state of the game.

Fermin Lopez is expected to get some time to make a difference, especially with all three of de Jong, Pedri, and Gundogan regularly starting and playing entire 90s. Similarly, Oriol Romeu might come on, as well, especially if Barcelona have a stronghold on the game.

Alejandro Balde spent the entire 90 on the bench against Atletico Madrid, and therefore, will be in contention to replace someone in the backline, i.e. if he does not start in the first place.