Xavi’s Lineup Has Surprise Returns

Head coach Xavi Hernandez should enforce two surprise returns to his starting lineup when FC Barcelona start the defense of their La Liga title away at Getafe late on Sunday night in Spain.

Away from the pitch, the Blaugrana have been boosted by a cash injection brought about thanks to the €120 million ($131 million) resale of stakes in media arm Barca Studios plus the €50 million ($55 million) transfer of Ousmane Dembele to Paris Saint-Germain.

This means that a series of players who are new to the club or have recently penned contract extensions could be registered ahead of this evening’s match after Barca spent most of the summer boasting just 13 men that were administratively fit to play.

Dembele and Franck Kessie – also offloaded to Al-Ahli for €12.5 million ($13.7 million) this week – were two of them. But with La Liga giving Barca the green light from a financial perspective now that their accounts are in a healthier order, important names such as Ronald Araujo and Ilkay Gundogan have now been given the all clear to feature at the Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

With Xavi opting for a four-man midfield system which worked to great effect last term, a previously injured Gundogan – who played only the second half in the Joan Gamper Trophy – makes a surprise return to the first XI at Gavi’s expense as Pedri takes his false left winger berth according to Mundo Deportivo.

Over at SPORT, however, they think that Gavi will start in the role and Gundogan is on the bench.

There is also a disagreement over the shock return of Andreas Christensen MD backs, whereas their main print rival have Eric Garcia partnering Jules Kounde in central defense.

Both publications agree on Araujo starting at right back, Alejandro Balde on the opposite defensive flank, and Frenkie De Jong and Oriol Romeu forming a defensive pivot partnership as Pedri is given more attacking freedom.

Further up the pitch, the general consensus is that Raphinha continues to benefit from Dembele’s departure by being deployed alongside striker Robert Lewandowski.

With Sergio Roberto benched, the 26 clean sheet hero of last season Marc-Andre ter Stegen takes the captain’s armband between the sticks.

FC Barcelona Expected Starting XI Vs. Getafe: Ter Stegen; Balde, Christensen, Kounde, Araujo; Gundogan, Romeu, De Jong; Pedri, Lewandowski, Raphinha