Official: Barcelona starting lineup against Villarreal | La Liga GW 22
Barcelona will hope to put the ghosts of the Athletic Club defeat in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals behind them as they take on Villarreal at home for matchday 22 in La Liga today.
The Catalans have won their last three league games in a row, scoring nine goals, but also conceding five during the same time. As an unstable defence continues to become a problem, Xavi has lined up his side with the fittest backline at hand.
Ronald Araujo starts in central defence alongside Andreas Christensen. Both players suffered knocks against Bilbao, but have been given the green light to participate vs Villarreal.
17-year-old Hector Fort is the highlighted presence on the left side of the defence, while Jules Kounde continues to man the right side. With Marc-Andre ter Stegen still out, Inaki Pena holds the fort in goal.
There is one major change to the midfield, as Oriol Romeu returns to the starting lineup as the pivot, while Ilkay Gundogan and Frenkie de Jong take charge of the advanced midfield roles.
Lamine Yamal has not been rested for this game despite playing nearly 200 minutes this week already, with Xavi opting to use Joao Felix over Ferran Torres on the left-wing.
Robert Lewandowski continues to lead the line for Barcelona, but must look over his shoulder with 18-year-old Vitor Roque and 17-year-old Marc Guiu breathing down his neck.
🚨 BARÇA XI 🚨#BarçaVillarreal pic.twitter.com/8Qr9A4oWkE
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 27, 2024
Confirmed Barcelona XI: Peña; Koundé, Araújo, Christensen, Fort; Gündogan, Romeu, de Jong; Yamal, Lewandowski, Félix
