Barça News

Official: Barcelona starting lineup against Valencia | La Liga

Published

3 years ago

16/12/2023

Udhav Arora

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

Comment

Barcelona need to return to winning ways as they take on Valencia at the Mestalla tonight in La Liga. On the back of back-to-back defeats against Girona and Royal Antwerp, Xavi’s future has been called into question, and three points today could do him a world of good.

Joao Felix is back in the team to run the left-wing, despite Ferran Torres’ solid performance in midweek against Antwerp. The Portuguese partners Raphinha, who starts on the other side of the front-three.

Robert Lewandowski retains his spot as the no. 9 despite his poor form. A goal today would take him to nine league goals in 15 games for the season, three behind Jude Bellingham, tho leads the Pichichi.

Xavi has changed the midfield entirely. Ilkay Gundogan starts at the base of the midfield as the pivot, with Frenkie de Jong and Pedri alongside him.

In defence, meanwhile, we see Ronald Araujo take charge of the captain’s armband after being rested in the UCL, while Jules Kounde starts over Andreas Christensen in central defence alongside the Uruguayan.

Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde will take the responsibility of providing width from the back, starting as the right and left fullbacks, respectively, while Inaki Pena hopes to redeem himself in goal after his mistake during midweek.