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How Barcelona could line up against Athletic Bilbao

sportsmole.co.uk, 19 August 2021, 12:21
Barcelona will again be without a number of important players for their second La Liga match of the 2021-22 campaign away to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday night.

Moussa Wague, Ansu Fati, Oscar Mingueza, Sergio Aguero, Ousmane Dembele and Marc-Andre ter Stegen remain unavailable for selection through injury.

Ronald Koeman's side did not suffer any fresh problems in their season opener with Real Sociedad last weekend, though, and there were plenty of positives from the clash at Camp Nou.

Martin Braithwaite was rewarded with a start in the final third, and the experienced attacker scored a brace, while Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto also registered.

Emerson, Roberto, Clement Lenglet and Ronald Araujo were among those to come off the bench against Real Sociedad, but it seems unlikely that Koeman will make alterations for this contest.

As a result, Braithwaite could again be joined in the final third by Antoine Griezmann and Memphis Depay, while Pedri, who has had an incredibly busy 12 months, should feature in central midfield.

Frenkie de Jong was a doubt for the clash with Real Sociedad but played 71 minutes of the contest and has not suffered a recurrence of the issue, so the Dutchman should again start here.

Barcelona possible starting lineup: Neto; Dest, Pique, E Garcia, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, De Jong; Braithwaite, Memphis, Griezmann

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