Barça and Villarreal want to be up
Xavi’s men need continuity against a submarine that doesn’t want to get off the hook either
MADRID, 26 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
FC Barcelona faces the third day of LaLiga EA Sports this Sunday (5:30 p.m.) on their visit to Villarreal, a demanding field and rival to measure the league start of the champion, who will not be able to count on a Pedri injured again, both teams with the intention of not to fall off the top of the table.
Although the season has just started, nobody wants to be left behind and with four and three points out of a possible six, neither Barça nor Villarreal can relax. For the champion, the start is being steep, now against a Villarreal team that wants to be a Champions League team and will undoubtedly try to prove it.
The Barça team had two tough games against Getafe and Cádiz, two good defensive schemes in which they had to settle for a draw and a win last week against the Andalusians. In the premiere at the Olympic Stadium, it was Pedri who opened the can in the 82nd minute.
The midfielder from the Canary Islands was injured this week in the rectus femoris of his right thigh, a setback he already suffered last February and for which he was out of action for more than three months. Now, Xavi will have to look for alternatives in the midfield, which go through Gavi and a Gündogan without much rhythm at the moment.
The good news for the Catalans is the irruption of Lamine Yamal, who at 16 seems obliged to assume a great responsibility. Meanwhile, Lewandowski should end his drought at some point and the recently renewed Ter Stegen, continue with a clean sheet that already led to a record last season.
At Villarreal they are awaiting the possible return of Yeremy Pino, in search of the morale that winning the defending champion would give. After an irregular march, Quique Setién wants to give reliability to a submarine that he lost in his debut against Betis and that he won on a difficult pitch like Mallorca.
The reinforcements in attack, especially that of Sorloth, have yet to awaken in the yellows, although the one who continues to perform as the best is Gerard Moreno. In the same way, another pillar like Parejo has started the course at a high level in what is expected a good dispute in the center of the field and rhythm to measure Barça.
DATASHEET:
–POSSIBLE ALIGNMENTS:
VILLARREAL: Jörgensen; Foyth, Gabbia, Cuenca, Pedraza; Parejo, Capoue, Terraces; Gerard Moreno, Baena and Sorloth.
FC BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Koundé, Christensen, Alonso, Balde; Romeu, De Jong, Gundogan, Gavi; Yamal and Lewandowski.
–REFEREE: Hernández Hernández (C. Las Palmas).
–STADIUM: La Cerámica.
–TIME: 5:30 p.m./Movistar Plus.