Koundé, Christensen, Araújo and Pau Cubarsí. Four of the five centre-backs who were in Barcelona’s squad to play in Mendizorroza are in the starting eleven. The only thing missing is Iñigo Martínez, who has just been discharged. We must not forget that in the first round, in Montjuïc (1-2), Alavés forward Samu created a lot of problems for the Blaugrana defense.
In the lineup there is only one change, forced by the injury of Ferran Torres, with respect to the team that beat Osasuna on Wednesday (1-0). The forward is replaced precisely by Christensen, who can advance his position to play as a pivot in the center of the field.
With Barça, the Dane has never performed those functions in Barcelona from the beginning, but he has done so on occasion with his national team. Oriol Romeu remains on the bench, signed precisely for that position.
Another option is for the young Pau Cubarsí to move to the left wing, which would cause Cancelo, the theoretical left back, to move forward as a winger. Because Barcelona is short of troops on the attacking front.
Still, without Ferran Torres, João Félix and Raphinha, Vitor Roque doesn’t make the team either. The Brazilian could have made his debut as a starter after being the hero of the victory in the last game in Montjuïc. At the moment, he has never played more than half an hour. Between Pedri and Gündogan they will play the role of false left winger and fourth midfielder.
Up front, on the right wing, Lamine Yamal does repeat, making his fifth consecutive start. Lewandowski, who has not scored in the League since December 10, will try to end that bad streak of six games without scoring a goal.
Barcelona’s lineup is Iñaki Peña, Koundé, Araújo, Cubarsí, Cancelo, Christensen, De Jong, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Gündogan and Lewandowski.
