Ansu Fati and Jordi Alba, starters for Barça in Valencia

Although Barcelona traveled to Valencia this Saturday with the same 21 players who already entered the squad to play the last game against Bayern, Xavi opted to make up to three changes.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
29 October 2022 Saturday 12:34
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Ansu Fati and Jordi Alba, starters for Barça in Valencia

Although Barcelona traveled to Valencia this Saturday with the same 21 players who already entered the squad to play the last game against Bayern, Xavi opted to make up to three changes. There will not be 4 midfielders in Mestalla. Nor does Gavi play from the start, still with some discomfort after the entrance that Dani García gave him in Barça-Athletic. And Xavi still does not have Raphinha, a substitute in the last three games. The Brazilian's last start was in the classic against Real Madrid.

Yes, Xavi lined up Jordi Alba on the left side. Alba enters for Bellerín, Eric Garcia for Marcos Alonso and Ansu Fati for Kessié. Consequently, Balde will occupy the right lane and will have to deal with Samuel Lino, a Valencian winger. Araújo, Memphis and Christensen are not injured due to injury, while Sergio Busquets, on the verge of suspension, will return to play for the third time this season alongside Frenkie de Jong.

The FC Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Balde, Koundé, Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri; Dembélé, Lewandowski and Ansu Fati.

Gattuso's team has lost Mouctar Diakhaby, their best central defender so far, although they have regained their usual partner, the Swiss Eray Cömert.

The coach also has problems in midfield, as Ilaix Moriba was injured on Tuesday, Yunus Musah is suspended due to suspension and Nico González due to his loan contract from Barcelona, ​​cannot play. In this way, there are two places in the center of the field assigned to Hugo Guillamón and André Almeida. The third is for Foulquier

The eleven of Valencia: Mamardashvili; Thierry, Cömert, Gabriel, Gayà; Hugo Guillamon, Foulquier, Almeida; Samuel Lino, Kluivert and Cavani.

The atmosphere in Mestalla will be the most hostile for the Barcelona team. The Valencian stadium will reach 45,000 spectators in what will be the best entrance of the season. The tribute to David Villa, a former striker who played for both teams, acted as the opening act for the show.