Official: Barcelona starting lineup against UD Almeria

Barcelona will look to extend their lead atop the La Liga standings to ten points when they face UD Almeria at the Power Horse Stadium in a little over an hour.

It will be a vital clash as Xavi & co. will be aiming to bounce back from their exit from the UEFA Europa League in midweek.

Ahead of the game, the Barcelona manager has released the starting XI for the contest, making a number of changes to the team that started at Old Trafford against Manchester United.

Xavi has opted to hand rest to three of his frontline defenders in Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo and Alejandro Balde for the Almeria clash.

Sergi Roberto, who started in an advanced position last time out, moves to right-back, while Eric Garcia gets a rare start in defence alongside Andreas Christensen. Jordi Alba comes in at left-back while Marc-Andre ter Stegen continues in goal.

Franck Kessie, Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong form the midfield unit for Barcelona.

Gavi, who missed the midweek clash due to suspension, starts as the pseudo-left-winger, as Xavi continues with his tactic of deploying four central midfielders.

Raphinha gets a rest as well, with Xavi handing Ferran Torres a start alongside Robert Lewandowski in attack.

El nostre XI #AlmeriaBarca pic.twitter.com/yXwAOK9pXP

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) February 26, 2023

Barcelona Confirmed XI: ter Stegen, Roberto, Christensen, Garcia, Alba, de Jong, Busquets, Kessie, Torres, Lewandowski, Gavi