Roque makes first start in a 4-3-3: How Barcelona can lineup against Barbastro

Barcelona are set to kickstart their Copa Del Rey campaign as they take on UD Barbastro later this evening.

It will be a special night for new signing Vitor Roque, who joined the club a few days ago and will be gunning for his first goal.

Predicted Barcelona lineup Vs Barbastro

Xavi Hernandez will likely make a few changes to the starting eleven, as he looks to keep his troops fresh ahead of the Spanish Super Cup.

Youngsters, in particular, are likely to take centre stage, with the likes of Marc Casado, Hector Fort and Pau Cubarsi in contention of earning a start.

On the flip side, some of the experienced players in the squad, including Ilkay Gundogan and Robert Lewandowski are sure to be rested.

Defence

With Marc-Andre ter Stegen still out injured, there will be no changes in goal. Inaki Pena will continue between the sticks, though the Spaniard desperately seeks a clean sheet.

Joao Cancelo was Barcelona’s first injury-related casualty of the year when he picked up a knock against Las Palmas in the last game.

The Portuguese international is ruled out for his encounter, potentially making way for youngster Hector Fort, in the right-back position. Alejandro Balde, too, appears to be a guaranteed starter on the opposition flank.

In central defence, both Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde will likely be rested, thus making way for youngster Pau Cubarsi, who may start alongside the more experienced Andreas Christensen.

Midfield

Moving into the midfield unit, it won’t be surprising to see Xavi making wholesale changes by resting the likes of Sergi Roberto, Ilkay Gundogan and Frenkie de Jong.

The Barcelona midfield, after all, is going through an injury crisis, with both Pedri and Gavi currently out on the sidelines.

We expect new signing Oriol Romeu to occupy the number six position, just behind the two interior midfielders Marc Casado and Fermin Lopez.

Given Casado’s profile, though, the youngster may even operate a bit deeper. But as far as Fermin is concerned, he will be a play crucial role in offering the creative substance in the final third.

Attack

Barcelona will have to deal with a rather peculiar suspension of Lamine Yamal, who had picked up a red card in last year’s Copa Del Rey Juvenil segment and is ineligible to feature in this game.

Fortunately for Xavi, Yamal’s suspension will give him an ideal excuse to grant new signing Vitor Roque his first start for Barcelona.

The Brazilian international was close to scoring his first goal for the club against Las Palmas, but the forward missed an excellent opportunity. He will look to make amends this evening against UD Barbastro.

Roque will likely operate in the number nine role, with the support of two wide attackers Ferran Torres and Joao Felix.

Both Torres and Felix are desperately looking to score, having struggled with a lack of productivity after enjoying excellent starts to the season.

Robert Lewandowski, meanwhile, is available should Xavi look for more firepower in the attacking unit. Xavi, though, will be hoping that he won’t be needing the services of the Polish international.