Barcelona were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao this past week, a loss which has shocked football fans. The Catalan giants, who are three points off the top of the La Liga table, play Real Betis on Sunday in the league. This will be the first time that the new Barcelona manager Quique Setién will face his former side Real Betis since leaving the club in 2019.
The Catalans played well against Bilbao, but could not score despite dominating possession and shots on goal. The last time these two sides faced each other, Barcelona won the game 5-2, back in August. Setien’s team need a win to keep in touch with Real Madrid in the league.
Let’s take a look at the possible Barcelona lineup for the game against Real Betis.
Team News
Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele will miss the game through injury. Gerard Pique will miss the game through suspension after accumulating 10 yellow cards in the season.
Marc-André ter Stegen should continue in goal for Barcelona in the game against Real Betis.
Jordi Alba, Clément Lenglet, Gerard Pique and Nélson Semedo started at the back in the loss to Athletic Bilbao. We will surely see one change to the backline as Pique is suspended for this game.
Samuel Umtiti will come into the Barcelona lineup in place of Pique.
Semedo and Alba should keep their places in the starting lineup at right-back and left-back, respectively.
Sergi Roberto and Junior Firpo are other options in the full-back positions.
Sergio Busquets could keep his midfield position for the game against Betis, and start with Frenkie de Jong in the Barcelona lineup.
We could maybe see Ivan Rakitic drop to the bench with one of Arturo Vidal, Arthur or Sergi Roberto playing in midfield.
Vidal could maybe come in to add energy to the midfield area, something they have been lacking in recent weeks.
Antoine Griezmann did not start the Copa del Rey game, but we could see him return to the Barcelona lineup, and start as the central striker.
He could be flanked by Lionel Messi on the right with young Ansu Fati getting another start on the left.
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