Very hard challenge will have to confront the FC Barcelona of Xavi Hernández this Thursday by the eighth of final of the Glass of Rey. Visit to the Athletic of Bilbao in Saint Mamés supposes a difficult task for the Barcelona picture in the middle of a sportive context complicated, as they confront the key in front of the Basques after having fallen in front of the Real Madrid by the Supercopa. Achieve the victory is imperative to defend his championship.

To face this commitment, the technician egarense will be able to have varied of his more powerful effective, although in the front of attack there is a big incógnita… How will configure his forward? As Luuk of Jong will not be able to participate for fulfilling with his respective sanction of two commitments, and Ousmane Dembélé probably do not see again minutes like culé if it does not renew his agreement this 20 January.

Possible alignments of the Athletic-Barça

  • XI of the FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Alves, Araujo, Hammered, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Gavi, Pedri; Abde, Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati.
  • XI of the Athletic: Unai Simón; Yuri, Yeray, Íñigo Martínez, Of Marcos; Dani García, Zarraga, Nico Williams, Muniaín; Iñaki Williams and Sancet.

Ter Stegen

The guardameta German would be indisputable for Xavi of face to the meeting in front of the Athletic, in spite of that Net is the 'commissioned', in this tournament, of custodiar the goal culé. The technician is conscious of the need to attain the triumph in front of the Athletic, by what needs to explain in field with his solider elements. Between them of course it is Ter Stegen, that will have to have special care with the brothers Williams and Sancet, forwards of level that hoard the focuses in each meeting of the Basque team.

Alves-Hammer-Araújo-Alba

After his big work in front of the Madrid, the egarense very probably decide to repeat the defensive line, full of veterans to exception of the explosive and reliable Ronald Araújo, that with 22 years has won the image of 'indisputable' and forms part of the golden generation of the Barcelona club. Like this then , with four defenders, Xavi expects to armour in defence in front of an Athletic with dangerous players in the offensive section.

Pedri-Busquets-Gavi

The return to the titularity of Pedri is imminent. The youngster mediocampista restarts his place in the eleven after surpassing the multiple physical obstacles that kept it moved away of the terrains of game, accompanied of the low performance of Frenkie of Jong in the last parties. The Tenerifean is in full form and like this showed it in front of the Madrid. By his part, Gavi, due to the fact that it will not be able to play this weekend by sanction, hardly will not go in in the headline. The line of three will complete it Busquets, that will have to be attentive in front of the rival siege.

Ferran-Ansu Fati-Abde

This Thursday will take a definite decision with regard to the future of Dembélé after the summit of his agent with the Barcelona club, from here will define his participation or no in the meeting in front of the Athletic. Whereas Luuk of Jong will fulfil this Thursday with his respective sanction by Glass. Therefore, Xavi will have to decide between his elements to configure his offensive line that surely will have the participation of Ansu and Ferran. Abde Would be the big incógnita, as his place also could occupy it Jutglà or the own Ousmane, in case to occur a 'miracle'.