Xavi, who wants a team that competes and with personality, will line up the most usual eleven
Up front and in midfield there will be no news and I could only doubt in the left lane
First litmus test of the season for FC Barcelona: Bayern Munich, winner of the last ten editions of the Bundesliga, six-time European champion and authentic ‘black beast’ of the Barça team (four defeats in the last four clashes and especially painful the three most recent: 2-80-3 y 3-0). Despite the negative precedents, Barça 2022-23 is not the same as in recent seasons and, as Xavi Hernández has repeated ad nauseam, the team’s objective is to compete, demand more of itself every day and win titles. And the results are visible: five consecutive wins in the last five games, high scores and license to dream big.
To face this demanding test, the Barça coach will line up the theoretical starting team, although Xavi has always maintained that there are no starters or substitutes on his squad. He defends that the footballers who step on the grass are the ones who deserve it for working well in training and being in better shape. It doesn’t take into account age or experience or any other factor: those who think they should do it for merit and physical condition play.
Choice
In the goal there will be no doubt: Ter Stegen. The German has played everything so far and has only conceded two goals. At the rear, on paper, the places will be distributed, from right to left, by Kounde, Araujo, Eric and Marcos Alonso, although the presence of Jordi Alba could not be ruled out to provide experience and depth in the left lane.
In the wide zone the squares also seem determined: Busquets, the captain, shielded by Gavi and Pedri. Upstairs great news is not expected either, so the presence of Lewandowski and Dembélé, substitutes in Cádiz, is assured. The third offensive argument could be the Brazilian Raphinha, who did not have minutes in the Champions League debut on September 7 against Viktoria Plzen.
