Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Barcelona could line up for Monday’s La Liga clash with Valencia.
Barcelona boss Xavi must find a solution to Frenkie de Jong‘s absence for Monday’s La Liga contest with Valencia at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Deep into first-half added time during last weekend’s Clasico defeat to Real Madrid, the Dutchman was withdrawn with a severe ankle sprain and will not play again this season.
De Jong should recover in time to represent the Netherlands at Euro 2024, but the ex-Ajax man will watch on helplessly from the sidelines as Barcelona attempt to keep the title race just about alive on Monday night.
Thankfully for Xavi, he has a ready-made replacement in the shape of Pedri, who has not been training at 100% this week due to load management but is expected to be fine to step in for De Jong here.
Gavi (ACL) and Alejandro Balde (hamstring) are also missing, and the latter’s absence should see Joao Cancelo retain his place at left-back, in spite of his abysmal defensive display in the Real Madrid defeat.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Pau Cubarsi, Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo should reprise their defensive roles too, with Andreas Christensen operating just ahead of the backline as Xavi’s number six.
Ilkay Gundogan completes the three-man engine room with Christensen and De Jong, while there should be no alteration to the three-pronged attack of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski or Raphinha either.
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Pedri, Christensen, Gundogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
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