Robert Lewandowski will return to the Barcelona starting lineup against Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin Stadium on Saturday.
Barcelona will aim to build a winning momentum when they lock horns with Real Betis at Estadio Benito Villamarin on Saturday afternoon. And Hansi Flick does not have any new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, and Ansu Fati remain on the sidelines. However, Ronald Araujo has resumed training and is closing in on returning to action, although he is not in the travelling squad to take on Real Betis.
During his pre-match press conference, Flick confirmed starts for some players while providing a fitness update on Araujo, Christensen, and Fati. The German tactician said, “We need Raphinha in every game, he is a key player. If he’s available for 90 minutes, all the better. But he will play as much as he can. He will start tomorrow and Lewandowski as well.”
The Barcelona manager continued, “He [Araujo] won’t be available for tomorrow. Maybe he could play against Dortmund, but our objective is to have him for Leganes. It’s not easy to include him in every game because the team is doing well. I’m very happy, in training today we are focusing on tomorrow.”
“I think when you think about next year how many games we have from the beginning of the year it’s important to have rotation, to get players back. Of course I like to see players recovering, hopefully they can all recover before the end of the year.”
With Araujo still on the sidelines, there is no looking past Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez for the central defensive partnership. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde will continue as the two full-backs, with Inaki Pena retaining his spot between the sticks. Barcelona will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of the Spanish goalkeeper.
As for the midfield unit, Pedri and Marc Casado should continue their pairing in the double pivot. Dani Olmo will reprise the no. 10 role, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal continuing on the flanks. Finally, Robert Lewandowski should return to the starting lineup, leading the line for the away side against Real Betis.
Real Betis vs Barcelona Predicted XI
Predicted Barcelona XI: Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Balde; Pedri, Casado; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski