Big Lineup Changes And Returns

FC Barcelona return to La Liga action through an early afternoon kick off against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

For the must-win fixture, head coach Xavi Hernandez will have to make some big changes to his lineup but will also be able to count on one of his best players earning his first minutes since late September at some stage in the proceedings.

Picking up a back injury on international duty with Germany earlier this month, de facto captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen did not make the trip to Vallecas and will be replaced by Inaki Pena.

At his pre-match press conference on Friday, Xavi said that he has “absolute confidence” in Pena who has not played since Barca’s title-winning 2022/2023 campaign.

Helping him to try and keep a clean sheet with be Joao Cancelo used at left back in place of a dropped Alejandro Balde, centre back pairing Inigo Martinez and Andreas Christensen, and right back Jules Kounde.

The Catalans lost more than just Ter Stegen in their latest bout of the dreaded FIFA virus, with Gavi tearing the ACL in his right knee and ruled out for at least six to eight months.

At the same time the 19-year-old will miss the rest of the season and the European Championships with Spain next summer, however, Xavi can welcome Frenkie de Jong back to the fold for the first time since Barca’s dramatic comeback win against Celta Vigo in September.

The Dutchman is not fit enough to start from the offset at Vallecas, however, where Oriol Romeu should act as pivot behind an attacking midfield duo of Pedri and Ilkay Gundogan.

Up front, La Roja wingers Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal are deployed on either side of Robert Lewandowski in selections that see Joao Felix and Raphinha pushed out of the starting XI.

As they play the first match of the weekend, Barca have the chance to put psychological pressure on Girona and Real Madrid.

A win would put them in second just a point behind their Catalan neighbours, who don’t play until Monday night against Athletic Club.

Real Madrid would be placed in third with a Blaugrana victory, but can then take pole position before Girona possibly win by seeing off Cadiz on Sunday afternoon.