Ronald Koeman faces his first ‘match ball’ with a resounding commitment to young people, at least for the two home promises who are talking more than talking and who harbor the most hopes for the club: Ansu Fati and Gavi.
The first one also opens ownership this season. In fact, it has taken almost a year for Fati to start: the last time was on November 7, 2020 against Betis at the Camp Nou. 345 days later, Ansu reappears in the eleven, and it also does so at a very important moment of the season, with Barcelona immersed in a deep crisis of results and play, as evidenced by the fact that in the last five games it has only been able to win one (Levante), drawing two (Granada and Cádiz) and losing two others (Benfica and Atlético de Madrid).
In the eleven also highlights the presence of Gavi, the earliest player to debut with the senior team, and that he will debut practically as a winger, accompanying Memphis Depay and Fati in the attack.
Koeman finally discards the three centrals and bets on the usual formula of four defenders, with Piqué and Eric Garcia in the central axis, and Dest and Alba, in the wings.. The American returns to his natural position after recovering Koeman to the left back.
In midfield, the brand new Nations League MVP remains untouchable, accompanied by Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Roberto.
On the bench, and waiting to play between ten to fifteen minutes, there is Kun Agüero, who would debut with the Blaugrana shirt after having been out for two and a half months due to a muscle injury.