Predicted Barcelona lineup against Athletic Bilbao

The scenes of jubilation after Inaki Williams celebration still pricks the heart of Cúles. The wound is fresh, and the heartbreak understandable. It had happened again indeed. Barcelona had once again given up a lead the final moments of a game and let the trophy slip away.

Barcelona have won 7 of their last 8 games. The only black spot in the record against a certain Basque opposition in the Supercup final last week. And indeed, the Catalans face off against Athletic Bilbao once again. The clash this time around comes in the League, and there is certainly a cloud of nervousness heading into it. A win could see them go to second on the La Liga standings, however a loss would mean they stay on the border of the top 4.

After 8 away games, Barcelona will be back to face Bilbao in the beautiful Camp Nou tonight. Finally! pic.twitter.com/Rk7d1wNZwi

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) January 31, 2021

Here is how Barcelona should lineup against Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou.

Defence

Neto has proved to be a worthy backup for Barcelona’s number one, yet. Is not even close to competing with the German. As La Liga returns to action, Marc Andre ter Stegen will no doubt start in goal.

Fending the fortress ahead of the goalkeeper will be the duo of Clement Lenglet and Ronald Araujo. The pairing has had its ups and downs, and so have both players. Whilst Araujo has been almost faultless, he has come out to say that his distribution is one area where he is looking to improve. That said, the Uruguayan has been a revelation so far. Clement Lenglet on the other looks pale, weak and unmotivated, as he has appeared since the end of last season.

Jordi Alba will continue to start on the right, taking over from Junior Firpo. The backup left-back was once again heavily disappointed and needless to say, sealed his exit from the Camp Nou in the upcoming window. An instant impact was seen after Alba introduction against Rayo Vallecano, as he set up Frenkie de Jong’s winner in the dying minutes.

Sergi Roberto is finally training with the group once again. With Sergino Dest still recuperating from his muscle injury, the Spaniard could well get his first start in months

Midfield

Sergio Busquets finds himself suspended for the game that could see Barcelona go ahead of Real Madrid. That said, the Bosnian Midfield engine, Miralem Pjanic, could get another chance to pull the strings.

Barcelona’s most improved player of the season, Frenkie de Jong will surely get another start in midfield on the night. The Dutchman has been on fire and on point for the Catalans game after game. Undoubtedly, the No.21 will be keen to add to his incredible G/A tally of the season.

The midfield will be completed by young Pedri. The 18-year-old always improves the overall quality and aesthetic of the game, not to mention his incredible maturity and awareness on the ball. He has featured in every Barcelona game o far, and nothing suggests Sunday will be any different.

Forward

After being rested for the first period against Rayo Vallecano, Ousmane Dembele will almost certainly return to his starting position on the right-wing. The Frenchman has been on a great run, both in form and fitness. Fingers crossed, it will go on for a long time to come.

Antoine Greizmann, too, has shut his haters with constant goal contribution in the last couple of games. Though he may not be as flashy as one expected him to be, his influence on the field is undeniable. Griezmann will once again look to come up clutch with a goal or two as he did in the Super cup final against the same opposition.

Lionel Messi will complete the starting line-up as the centre-forward as he return to La Liga after missing the game against Elche. Recent reports in Spanish media and leaks of his contract details are more than enough to fire the Argentine up. As he always does, he will be keen to let his magical feet do the talking.

Griezmann · Messi · Dembele
Pedri · Pjanic · de Jong
Alba · Lenglet · Araujo · Roberto
ter Stegen

Substitutions

Fransisco Trincao had a positive performance in the Copa del Rey, and reports suggest that Koeman had a personal interaction with the Young portuguese international immediately after. He could well come on in the closing minutes for Antoine Greizmann.

Similarly, Martin Braithwaite will be an option on the bench for Koeman, moreover so if the side are trailing.

Riqui Puig could come on for Pedri in the final phase of the game, a phase where he has proved to be imfluential time and time again. His ability to decide games as a substitute could be something Koeman counts on.