Koeman's plan for Barça's game against Atletico Madrid

To fault of the return of the international players after the stop of selections, the virus FIFA has not punished to a large extent to the FC Barcelona. In addition to the injury of the sprain in the left knee of Sergio Busquets, for now the Barcelona club has not seen affected of other injuries. However, with the drop (by four months) of Ansu Fati after his operation and the absence of 'Busi', Ronald Koeman will have to design a new team for the clash in front of the Athletic of Madrid this Saturday, in Wanda Metropolitan.

With the return to the work after the stop of selections, the Barcelona will have ten finals before it finish the 2020. The requirement is maximum for Koeman, considering that the beginning of campaign, especially in LaLiga, has been very irregular. In nine days, with two pending parties, the Barça finds in the eighth position of the table, with nine points less than the leader of the competition, the Real Sociedad and six units less than his next rival, the Athletic of Madrid of Simeone.

In Wanda Metropolitan, the culés will have to go to by all in front of a team that has not lost in this season in LaLiga Santander. With the drops of Fati and Busquets, the Dutch trainer will have to include in his plan to Miralem Pjanic to substitute to the Spanish in the centre of the field and to Coutinho or Pedri for suplir the fault of Ansu Fati.

It will be the opportunity of Pjanic that, until the moment, has played like titling in two opportunities under the orders of Koeman, both parties in the Champions League (in front of the Ferencváros and the Juventus), that is to say, has contested some 242 minutes of 900 possible. Although it is true that the bosnio is in a stage of adaptation, already has left to see his talent and rapidity inside the field. In the duel in front of the Juventus, for example, participated actively in the centre of the field and finished being the swiftest player the party. Although Koeman also has in the bench to Carles Aleñá and Riqui Puig, is little likely that the eliga on Pjanic.

In the defence there are few doubts. Until the moment, the couple of head offices of confidence of the Dutch technician has been Gerard Hammered and Clément Lenglet and in front of the drop of Ronald Araújo, would not have discussions in this sector of the field (to less than an injury of last hour). However, in the right band himself that there is dispute. The irregularity of Sergi Roberto (especially in his defensive function) could give him the opportunity of gold to Sergiño Dest to be headline.

The options to substitute to Ansu Fati

Although Koeman has a lot of players in his offensive line, the drop of Ansu Fati is very difficult of suplir, mainly by the energy of the player and his dynamism in the field. The good news is that, probably, Philippe Coutinho go back to be available, after surpassing an injury. In this stage, the Dutch would have until four options to substitute to Fati: 'Cou', Pedri González, Trincao and the player of the filial, Konrad de la Fuente.

By his part, OusmaneDembélé, that is recovering little by little his best level, could remain in the right extreme, whereas Leo Messi positions in the mediapunta and Antoine Griezmann, as 'false 9'. To Koeman only will remain him decide between Coutinho and Pedri would contest , for the left extreme.