After two defeats in a row, Barcelona has a final at Mestalla. At 7 points from the lead in the standings, the Blaugrana cannot afford another setback in the League if they want to continue aspiring to defend the title. And that can be seen in Xavi Hernández's lineup, which recovers two of the team's heavyweights. Araújo, the head of the defense, and Frenkie de Jong, the brain of the midfield, return.
The Uruguayan traveled but stayed in the stands in Antwerp. His partner in the axis of the defense will be Koundé, despite his erratic performances in recent games. It is the fifth consecutive start for the Frenchman, who can be considered one of Xavi's regulars, since he has been in the eleven in up to 17 games.
The defense is completed by Cancelo, who will return to the right side, his natural wing, and Balde, who will play on the left. The two full-backs had not played together since Vallecas, on November 25.
The one who does pay for his mistakes in Antwerp is Oriol Romeu, although the decision is not surprising either. The midfielder, who made two mistakes in the Champions League that cost his team two goals, has been losing weight in Barcelona's lineups and returns to the bench with the recovery of Frenkie de Jong. The Dutchman did not travel to Belgium suffering from a fever but he is already recovered, so he starts.
None of the three starting midfielders against Valencia started in Antwerp, as Gündogan and Pedri entered the field at game time. Sergi Roberto and Fermín, who have not started in the League since November 12 against Alavés, will wait for their opportunity.
In attack, Barcelona recovers Raphinha and João Félix, who in Antwerp rested the entire game on the bench, thinking about this Saturday's match at Mestalla. It is the third consecutive day that
Barcelona will have Iñaki Peña, Cancelo, Araújo, Koundé, Balde, Gündogan, F. De Jong, Pedri, Raphinha, João Felix and Lewandowski.
