After returning to Serbia with a vital European win over Crimson Star Belgrade within the bag, Barcelona face one other brutal highway journey because the La Liga leaders journey to the Basque Nation to face Actual Sociedad at Anoeta.
Barça are unbeaten away to Sociedad since breaking the notorious Anoeta Curse nearly eight years in the past, however the Blaugrana have nearly by no means discovered it simple to beat the Basque giants in entrance of their unimaginable residence crowd and know they’ll be in for a battle as soon as once more.
Right here’s how we predict Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Sunday’s battle.
Protection
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Flick continues to navigate a busy schedule properly by making small and sensible rotations to maintain his squad recent whereas nonetheless placing out a robust staff for each match. Sunday might be no totally different, with solely a few alterations anticipated for an additional robust highway recreation.
On the again there’s an enormous doubt regarding the standing of Pau Cubarsí, who bought kicked within the face in midweek and suffered a deep lower within the chin space that required 10 stitches. There isn’t any greater underlying subject like a possible facial fracture, nonetheless, and Cubarsí may in idea be obtainable to play. However the overwhleming expectation is that the younger defender will sit out as a precaution, and Jules Kounde is anticipated to take his place at center-back.
That may imply a second straight league begin for Héctor Fort at right-back, with Iñigo Martínez and the returning Alejandro Balde rounding out the again 4 in entrance of Iñaki Peña.
Midfield
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Dani Olmo had a sensational efficiency in opposition to Espanyol final week and was surprisingly overlooked of the beginning XI in opposition to Crimson Star, though it’s comprehensible that Flick didn’t wish to take any dangers with Olmo because the midfielder has solely not too long ago returned from harm.
We count on him again within the XI for this one, nonetheless, with Marc Casadó and Pedri finishing the midfield trio. Frenkie de Jong has regarded excellent since his return from harm, however it’d be a shock to see the Dutchman begin two video games in 4 days having simply come again from an extended absence.
Fermín López may simply discover himself within the lineup instead of Pedri, however we don’t count on that a lot rotation from Flick and Fermín has regarded most snug thus far this season as a spark plug who brings vitality and attacking intent off the bench.
Assault
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Hansi Flick continues to make use of his substitutions to handle the minutes of his most necessary gamers, and he did it once more in midweek to provide each Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski further relaxation forward of the Sociedad match. Lamine Yamal performed all 90 minutes in midweek however remains to be anticipated to start out this one, however he might be the one changed within the second half this time round if Barça proceed the pattern of constructing quick begins and wrapping up wins early.
Attainable XI: Peña; Fort, Kounde, Iñigo, Balde; Olmo, Casadó, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha (4-3-3)
How do you suppose Barcelona ought to line up in opposition to Actual Sociedad? Tell us your ideas, predictions and groups within the feedback beneath!
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