Barcelona limp on in their disappointing 2023/24 season when they visit Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday night.
After taking the lead early on, Xavi’s side capitulated against Granada and needed a late equaliser just to gain a point. It leaves them ten points behind Real Madrid in the title race, with little hope for the Catalan giants of retaining their championship.
While second place is still reach for Barca with Girona only five points ahead, Xavi has some injury worries to deal with ahead of the trip to Celta Vigo.
Here’s the lineup he could select.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – Replaced Inaki Pena against Granada after missing 17 games with a back injury that required surgery.
RB: Jules Kounde – Yet to truly establish himself as a vital Barca player and has been touted for a summer transfer again in recent weeks, with Premier League giants supposedly tracking his performances.
CB: Ronald Araujo – Another star regularly linked with a Barca exit, centre-back Araujo has no imminent plans to leave despite reported interest from Bayern Munich.
CB: Inigo Martinez – 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi has enjoyed minutes recently but the experience of Martinez could be handy in defence after conceding three goals to Granada last week.
LB: Joao Cancelo – Left-backs Alejandro Balde and Marcos Alonso are both sidelined through injury, leaving the right-footed Cancelo to fill in like he has regularly before.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – Will attract plenty of interest in the summer transfer window as rumours over his future continue to swirl. As long as he doesn’t fall out with management, De Jong will continue in the starting XI.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – Was recently lauded by Barca as the ‘king of assists’, having picked up three in his last four La Liga games alongside two goals.
CM: Pedri – Has played 13 league games in another season affected by injury. Whoever takes over as manager after Xavi will have a gem to work with in Pedri – as long as they can keep him fit.
RW: Lamine Yamal – Barca relied on the 16-year-old for a point against Granada last Sunday as he opened and closed the scoring in the six-goal thriller.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Has six goals in his last ten games – including strikes in the last two outings against Alaves and Granada – and only needs two more to bring up 50 in Barca colours.
LW: Raphinha – Eased Xavi’s injury worries by returning on Sunday and could be plonked into the starting XI with Pedri moving back into midfield.
