Barça News

Official: Barcelona lineup against Villarreal

Published

4 years ago

12/02/2023

Michel Durant

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

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Barcelona will be aiming to extend their lead atop the La Liga standings to a massive 11 points when they face Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica tonight.

Ahead of the game against Quique Setien’s side, manager Xavi Hernandez has released the lineup that Barcelona will be fielding.

With captain Sergio Busquets getting injured last time out against Sevilla, Xavi has been forced into a change and has brought in Franck Kessie to replace the veteran midfielder.

With Gavi, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong also starting, Barcelona continue with four central midfielders, although Gavi will operate as a pseudo-left-winger.

Meanwhile, Alejandro Balde starts as the left-back despite Jordi Alba starting and scoring a goal in the game against Sevilla. Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, and Andreas Christensen make up the rest o the Barça defensive line shielding Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Raphinha continues on the right flank in the absence of Ousmane Dembele while Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the attack for the La Liga leaders.