FC Barcelona prepares for lineup changes in their upcoming match against Villarreal.
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FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez will need to make some changes to the lineup for their Sunday match against Villarreal.
Given that their title race rivals, Real Madrid, won 1-0 against Celta Vigo on Friday, thanks to Jude Bellingham’s late header, this is a crucial game for Barcelona, who are currently five points behind the La Liga leaders.
The match will be played at 17:30 local time, and there have been concerns about the intense heat of the Spanish summer at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
In addition to these challenges, injuries are also a hurdle for Xavi, who will be serving a two-game touchline ban and watching from the stands. Midfielder Pedri suffered a thigh injury in training and is expected to be out for five to six weeks, joining central defender Ronald Araujo on the injured list.
However, this setback presents an opportunity for Gavi, who will take Pedri’s place as the false left winger in Xavi’s four-man midfield system.
Oriol Romeu will play as the pivot, with Frenkie de Jong and Ilkay Gundogan, who provided the assist for Pedri’s opener against Cadiz, playing in front of him.
Gavi will be the false left winger in the front line alongside striker Robert Lewandowski. 16-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal, following his impressive 85-minute performance against Cadiz, will start ahead of Ferran Torres once again.
In goal, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who recently extended his contract until 2028, will aim for his third clean sheet of the season.
Amid doubts about his ankle injury, Alejandro Balde will be left out as the left back, making way for the recently-registered Marcos Alonso to play.
In central defense, Andreas Christensen will partner with Jules Kounde, while captain Sergio Roberto will play as the right back due to delays in Joao Cancelo’s loan move from Manchester City.
FC Barcelona Lineup Vs. Villarreal: Ter Stegen; Alonso, Christensen, Kounde, Roberto; Romeu, Gundogan, De Jong; Gavi, Lewandowski, Lamine
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