Friday, 16 August 2019 21:00 BARCELONA TIME San Mamés BILBAO PREVIOUS MEETINGS SLL 10-02-2019 FT Athletic Bilbao 0 : 0 Barcelona SLL 29-09-2018 FT Barcelona 1 : 1 Athletic Bilbao SLL 18-03-2018 FT Barcelona 2 : 0 Athletic Bilbao SLL 28-10-2017 FT Athletic Bilbao 0 : 2 Barcelona SLL 04-02-2017 FT Barcelona 3 : 0 Athletic Bilbao SCdR 11-01-2017 FT Barcelona 3 : 1 Athletic Bilbao VISCAELBARCA
Prediction for the line up: MAtS Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba Busi, de Jong, Rakitic Dembele, Suarez, Griezmann Pretty straight forward from what we have available and what we know of Valverde. However, knowing how cautious he can be, wouldn't at all be surprised if he started Roberto instead of Frenkie just cause Valverde. *shrugs* Anyone see it differently?
That would suck if FdJ doesn't start. No time to play around, this is a tough fixture. I'm just thinking that it might be Roberto instead of Rakitic though. Could also be Roberto instead of Semedo if Barca are considering selling Semedo (so not to risk injury), though that would be nuts!
This would be my preferred line up, but who knows. Maybe EV to put in Roberto to play a bit more defensive because it's at San Mamés?
Match squad; Ter Stegen, , Iñaki Peña Semedo, Piqué, Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Umtiti, Junior Firpo Rakitic, Sergio, Coutinho, Rafinha, Aleñá, S. Roberto, De Jong Suárez, Dembélé, Griezmann and C. Pérez. I would go with; MATS Semedo - Pique - Langlet - Alba Busquets De Jong - Aleña Dembele - Suarez - Griezmann Valverde will probably go with; MATS Semedo - Pique - Langlet - Alba Sergio Roberto - Busquets - De Jong - Rakitic Suarez - Griezmann
for me what i like to see : --------------------------MATS Semedo-------Pique---------Umtiti------Alba --------------------------Busi------------------------ -----------------Rakitic-----De Jong------------------- ---------------------Griezmann----------- -------------Dembele-----------Suarez------ but i know there is no way that's gonna happen because Craperto NEEDS to play no matter what so Demebele is probably going to be on the bench
Busquets has been woeful in preseason from the little I saw. Not unlike how he was playing late last season. Kinda worrying actually....
We have a ton of players who are getting minutes based on former glory. I don't think Suarez, Busquets, Rakitic, and Pique would be starting for any all time great team. Alba has been much better than those guys but after his performance against Liverpool, I have a bit of a doubt about his level as well. Semedo and Lenglet are good but not world beaters Dembele is always hurt, Coutinho hasn't found his best form and Griezmann's form remains to be seen. He is arguably past his best of a few years ago. Vidal, Alena, and Roberto may be serviceable subs but we shouldn't rely on them heavily. The only players I really want on our team right now are Messi, De Jong, Arthur, and Ter Stegen. I mean I like the other guys but they don't always instill confidence in me. Best case I put Alba and Griezmann in there so that leaves five positions...
Alba had a horrible gme vs Liverpool, but let's not throw him under the bus after having mostly a great season.
Arthur and Arturo Vidal also discarded. Coutinho said to be traveling to Bavaria on Sunday. That would pretty much end the Neymar saga.
Arthur was facing a fitness test. Vidal rumored to be offered to PSG ... but that can't count for much.
I'd like to keep Vidal. We need his tempo. Decent lineup, not bad. I'm going to go ahead and say dembele is going to have a great game. I can feel it in my calf. *Cough Cough*
Inaki Williams just signed a 9 year deal with Athletic. That has to be the longest contract duration I've ever seen.