The first day without Gavi, injured for the rest of the season, coincides with the reappearance in Vallecas of Frenkie de Jong, absent for two months due to a sprained ankle. The Dutchman was injured on September 23 against Celta and his loss has been very noticeable in the loss of clarity and brilliance in Barcelona’s game. Xavi has not hesitated to give him the baton against Rayo in his first game, so he hopes that it will not be so noticeable that Gavi is not there.
De Jong, who will also be Barça’s captain, coincides in the engine room with Pedri, also a starter on his 21st birthday. Barcelona must begin to find its game again and be recognizable after some very irregular performances, such as against Alavés, Shakhtar or Real Sociedad. Both have been working in the sports city throughout the national team break.
The other big news is in goal, where Iñaki Peña will be between the sticks. The Alicante goalkeeper has his first opportunity this season due to the lower back pain suffered by Ter Stegen, who after missing the two games with Germany has not traveled to Vallecas with Barça either. Iñaki Peña, 24, had already played in the Champions League and the Cup with Barça but this Saturday he makes his debut as a starter in the League.
Xavi recovers Balde on the left wing after two consecutive substitutions while Oriol Romeu, a disputed figure, is also in the starting eleven. Up front, Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal coincide again.
Instead, the coach has decided to rest three players who have played almost everything with their respective teams, such as the German Gündogan (161 minutes), the Portuguese João Félix (174 minutes) and the Uruguayan Araújo (180), who He also made a transoceanic trip.
