FC Barcelona vs Valencia CF La Liga | J9 Match Time La Liga is back and Valencia is on deck. Aguero has played a practice game and may be included in the squad and possibly will get some minutes. It looks like Dembele won't be included. I would expect Fati to start tomorrow even though Koeman did not give an answer during the presser. Araujo is out due to the FIFA injury bug and apparently so is Pedri who hasn't yet recovered from his injury.
Should we expect another dreaded line-up which includes LdJ when Aguero, Fati, and Depay are all available to play as striker? If Koeman can even consider the possibility of starting Fati, which is what he said, then he’s obviously fit enough to start. Aguero can’t play a full game and needs match rhythm. I’d still rather see Aguero on that starting line-up than match-fit LdJ. We could also go Fati-Depay-Demir. Gavi will certainly start, especially since Pedri won’t be there. Worried about an Araujo-less defense. Wonder what Koeman comes up with.
here is Marca's prediction. Dest travelled the most during to international break, and i think he was hurt in one of the games, so resting him makes some sense. otherwise the lineup pretty much chooses itself.
For the first time in 20 months, no limitation on the number of spectators in the Camp Nou. Probably will be well short of capacity due to the last-minute availability of most of the tickets and the team's form, but nonetheless should still be a real home advantage finally.
So in order to accommodate Roberto one way or the other he decided to use Dest as a make-shift RW. Interesting. Dest certainly has the ability to play as an attacker, but I don’t think he’s ever played in that position before. Moreover, I thought he had been doing better coming from the left, in order to shoot with his right. Unless we’re going to be crossing into the box. Anyway, I’m just glad Fati and Gavi are getting starts. Concerned about our backline though. Hope it all works out. Visca Barca!
Great ball by Alba. Fati couldn’t control. He can only get better at those with more games. Scary how good he could become.
One point of criticism for Gavi there. In his enthusiasm he can make some unnecessary fouls. Not the first time I’ve seen him do that.