Xavi shook up the lineup to welcome Villarreal. After the defeat at the Bernabeu, the Barcelona coach made up to five changes in the eleven to try to turn the page from 3-1 in the classic. Half of the field players do not repeat in the match of the tenth day. Busquets, Eric Garcia, Dembélé and Raphinha, starters against Madrid, fall out of the lineup.
For the first time this season, Barça comes out without those who had been the coach's leading wingers. At least one of the two, or Raphinha or Dembélé, had always been on eleven. But to play against Villarreal and get back within three points of Madrid, Xavi has chosen to seat them. Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres, architects of the Blaugrana goal at the Bernabeu, are the chosen ones.
For his part, Sergio Busquets is also one of those sacrificed who pays for the broken dishes. The midfielder had been a starter for five games but in the last two, against Inter and Madrid, Xavi replaced him in the 64th and 60th minutes, respectively. Today, at the beginning, he will watch the match from the bench. That will mean De Jong delaying his position to play organizer and Gavi coming in as inside.
Without Busquets and Piqué, Sergi Roberto will be Barcelona's captain tonight ahead of Jordi Alba. The left-back regains ownership after two games as a reserve to the detriment of Balde. For his part, Marcos Alonso will occupy the center of defense along with Koundé. Eric García, marked against Nerazzurri and whites, loses his place.
Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Koundé, Marcos Alonso, Alba, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi, Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati y Lewandowski
Rulli, Kiko Femenía, Albiol, Pau Torres, Pedraza, Morlanes, Parejo, Álex Baena, Yeremi Pino, Jackson and Danjuma.
