Barcelona presents four new features in Almería compared to the one that defeated Real Sociedad (2-0). Xavi announced rotations to play three games in seven days (Monday-Thursday-Sunday) and the big surprises to face the bottom team are the entries of Héctor Fort and Ferran Torres to face the bottom team.
The youth defender will play at left back, replacing Cancelo, while the Valencian striker will also occupy the left wing, in Raphinha’s position. Despite not having scored a goal in his last 11 games, Ferran Torres remains the second highest scorer in the squad, with eleven goals.
The two were not in the lineup since the trip to Cádiz, a month and three days ago. João Félix also started in that match but, on the other hand, the Portuguese remains on the bench. A decision that comes after he did not play a single minute against Real. The decline in importance of the footballer, on loan from Atlético, who has only started one of the last nine games, is evident.
The other two new faces in the eleven chosen by Xavi are Fermín and Sergi Roberto in the center of the field. But the captain and the Huelva player not so long ago played as starters as they already did so in Montilivi. Sergi Roberto will be the midfielder since Christensen rests and Fermín comes in due to the forced absence of Gündogan, who is suspended.
For the first time in this League, Barcelona will play with three youth players at the PowerHorse Stadium since those who do not move from the starting team are Cubarsí, partnering again with Iñigo Martínez in the axis of the defense, and Lamine Yamal accompanying Lewandowski in tip.
For the defender from Girona it is the nineteenth start of the season, while the winger, who opened the scoring last Monday, has already started 28 games.
Barcelona’s lineup in Almería is: Ter Stegen, Koundé, Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Héctor Fort, Sergi Roberto, Pedri, Fermín, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and Lewandowski.