Official: Barcelona starting lineup against Deportivo Alaves | La Liga GW 23
Following their first win after two defeats against Osasuna, Barcelona will now make the trip to the Basque region where they will lock horns against capital outfit Deportivo Alaves for La Liga matchday 23.
Xavi has most of his team fit and gunning for this game, including the return of Inigo Martinez. However, the Spaniard is not match fit enough to start the game, and has been left on the bench for now.
Instead, Xavi has opted to start Ronald Araujo in central defence alongside Pau Cubarsi, who retains his place. Joao Cancelo and Jules Kounde have been given the license to provide width from the back, while Inaki Pena continues in goal.
Andreas Christensen is also a part of this lineup, presumably as the pivot, accompanied by Frenkie de Jong and Ilkay Gundogan. The Dane has played in this position in the past, but never before for Barcelona, which could be quite the experiment.
With Ferran Torres and Joao Felix out of action for around a week, Xavi has opted to start Pedri as the left-winger in his four-man midfield formation. Robert Lewandowski continues to lead the line as the no. 9, while 16-year-old Lamine Yamal starts his fifth game in a row.
🚨 BARÇA XI 🚨#AlavésBarça pic.twitter.com/LqeT0aTwkS
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 3, 2024
Confirmed Barcelona XI: Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Gundogan, Christensen, de Jong; Yamal, Lewandowski, Pedri
